DeeAnn Smith, W35-39

oceanside, ca

Describe your athletic background. I started in gymnastics very young until about age 12.  Then 4^th grade thru high school I played softball, volleyball and soccer until I made the cheerleading squad my sophomore year.  I began teaching aerobics and ‘spin’ classes and doing personal training in the gym when I was 17, began running 10K’s at 18 and did my first triathlon when I was 25.

How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? 14 years

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? No way I would pick just one, but I have to say I could not live with out Endurox R4  or Carbo-Pro!

How did you get your start in Triathlons? I saw a Wide World of Sports telecast of The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon and said to myself “I will do that someday” and about 3 years later I did my first of 4 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlons and placed 4^th in my age group that first year!!!

What is your favorite workout?   Multi-brick!!!  Bike/run combo’s X 3 or 4 or more!!!  These are great race prep and a great rainy day workout (if you like to run in the rain, I do!) set up the trainer in the garage, ride for a bit, then run around the neighborhood and do it again and again, time goes by pretty quickly!

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” cooking meals and sweet treats for my husband!!!  I also really enjoy going to the movies and walking with my dogs.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? My husband.  He is focused, yet can make training fun. He is faster than me (running & cycling), so he will double back to spend recovery time with me or just to check on me. He also knows all my weaknesses and keeps me in line when I fall prey to my ‘superman’ complex or my ‘poor little girl’ complex!

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do? I would like to try Winter Triathlon.  I am not a big fan of cold weather so that and improving my cross country skiing would be my biggest challenges!  I love to mountain bike and racing in the snow looks like a blast!  I would also like to do an Iron-distance triathlon that is off road, but I have not seen one on the calendar recently.

Describe your biggest race disaster. Wow, after years of racing I don’t think I have anything I can label as a ‘disaster’. My most humbling and painful experience was during the Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon, one of my favorite races next to Alcatraz!  During the descent ski portion of the race my fingers froze!  I thought my gloves were waterproof but they were not and after several crashes into the snow banks (I am really bad on the X-country skis) my fingers were soaked and cold, frostbite set in just as I entered transition.  To this day the only time I have ever cried at or during a race was at this ski to run transition! The volunteers were wonderful and they helped me change from ski to run gear, socks and gloves included!!!

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? I wear red to bed the night before the race. Red is a ‘power color’! 

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)?  Either In and Out Burger or Mac and Cheese!

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.) For some reason I destroy iPods at an alarming rate.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? When I was 15 I worked at Chik-fil-A for 3 days. After cleaning out the grease that the fries are made in, I think I did not eat a French fry for a decade & did not return to that job.

What adjective describes you best? Hungry and, more than occasionally, starving

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition?  Have a plan and be consistent!

Recent Results:  3/21/09 Lake Havasu Triathlon (Olympic) – 2:36:30, 2^nd Place F40-44; 4/4/09 California 70.3 – 5:41:43, 20/100 F40-44; 4/18/09 Rocky Point Triathlon (Olympic) – 2:22:11, 1^st Place F40-44, 5^th OA Female; 4/26/09 Caveman Triathlon (Sprint) – 1:06:19, 1^st Place Masters Female, 2^nd OA Female; 5/2/09 Orange County Half Marathon – 1:42:19, 7/443 F35-39; 5/9/09 Racers & Chasers Mountain Bike Race – 1^st place women Sport (16 miles); 5/24/09 Med City Half Marathon 1:38 – 2^nd place 30-39, 7^th OA Female; 5/30/09 OC Duathlon, 2:00:22 USAT Regional Duathlon Championships, 2^nd pl 40-44; 6/7/09 Hit the Road Jack 10K 44:47 2^nd Place W 30-39; 6/13/09 Racers & Chasers Mountain Bike Race – 1^st place women Sport (18 mi); 6/28/09 Breath of Life Triathlon 2:18:54 USAT Regional Championships, 1^st W40-44, 8^th OA Female