Cherri Brightridge, W35-39

morris plains, nj

Describe your athletic background. I ran throughout high school and college. I moved to long distance racing in 2000. My strengths are running and cycling.

How long have you been competing in multi-sport races?Since the 1990s... I started with off-road multi-stage adventure races and I got tired of getting poison ivy and huge scratches on my legs all summer long, so I moved to road racing...less bumps and scratches…  

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? Any pair of sunglasses!  It’s a must to be stylin’ in the shades.

How did you get your start in Triathlons? I was racing adventure races on the east coast and again it’s that poison ivy thing… I kept getting poison ivy…. I also enjoy rock & ice climbing and mountaineering and gained a great base of endurance. I began with X-Terra and refined my cycling and swimming skills and now I enjoy triathlons of all distances and specialize in long-course racing.

What is your favorite workout? Long ride (2-4 hours) with friends.

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” Art: painting, photography and sculpture. Art and creativity give a feeling of true freedom.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? I cannot pick one person. My girlfriends.  Because they ROCK!

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do? Ultraman.  It’s not really about the location, although a trip to Hawaii is always good.  It’s the event.

Describe your biggest race disaster. An adventure race several years back, I dragged a kayak through 4 feet of mucky muddy water for a few hours.... I was up to my eye balls in muck... I fell several times and got totally lost in navigation… it was epic!  It was not really a true disaster, it was kind of fun in hind-sight.  I moved onto road triathlons thereafter.... It’s harder to get lost in a triathlon, but there‘s stories about that too.

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? I must eat cereal.  Peanut Butter Bumpers cereal with chocolate soy milk.

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)?  Well, I'm vegan so I'd say Thai food, extra spicy.

Have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear? (For example, have you driven into the garage with a bike on the roof, run over race wheels, etc.) I killed my Cervelo P3C on Labor Day, 2008.  It was on the rear bumper bike rack of my Jeep... I backed my Jeep into another car... the Jeep, the other car, the bike rack and the bike were crunched. The bike was totaled... it cracked in half! Nice thing is that Cervelo has a great damaged frame policy... my new 2009 Cervelo bike is sweet!

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? One summer job while in college, it was the worst job, but one of the best... I was a "Horicultural Enhancement Facilitator" IE:  Groundskeeper.  I got to drive a real-life garbage truck once and had an opportunity to run the compactor in the back! Wow, what a rush!  I made the best friends on that job.... there was way too much laughing while we dirty, dirty college students earned our summer cash.

What adjective describes you best? Optimistic.

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition? Two things: (1)  Do core training year-round.  A strong core will be your biggest advantage. (2)  And remember this:  If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right.