This amazing athlete is a mother of three children, works full time and has a passion for triathlon. Not only is she a Kona qualifier but she won her age group in her rookie debut. This gave her the chance to go back and defend her title in the following year. We are honored to have had the chance to interview Rachel Ross:

KK: Rachel, please take a moment and tell us a little about yourself, pre triathlon.

RR: Pre-triathlon I ran recreationally, an hour a day or so, just to stay and shape and because I enjoyed it. I have three kids, Henry 9, Wyatt 7, and Sky 5. I work full-time as an environmental consultant.

KK: Where did you grow up?

RR: Honolulu

KK: What was your sports background before triathlon?

RR: I paddled outrigger canoes for ten years, and played basketball. I rowed for a season at Cal, but I didn't fall in love with it. I did a lot of running in college, but never competitively.

KK: Tell us about your run background?

RR: I ran through the pregnancies and had really easy pregnancies and deliveries. I did my first 5k when my youngest was 6 months old and my first tri just before her first birthday.

KK: How did you get started with triathlon?

RR: I watched a friend do IM Wisconsin and thought it was crazy, but cool. So I signed up for a women's sprint in Hawaii.

KK: Tell us about your 2006 Rookie debut in at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii?

RR: I got the resident slot at Honu 70.3 and figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I took it. I had never ridden more than 40 miles before that race, so the jump to 100 milers was tough, but there were a lot of great people training for it here on Oahu with Boca Hawaii, so I had good company. I just went out to have fun and finish, with hopes to break 12 hours.. and realized once I started running that it was going to be closer to 10 hours. The AG win was a nice surprise, for sure.

KK: What was it like to go back in 2007 and defend your, Kona, 1st place title?

RR: It was really fun to do a second Ironman. The first time I was afraid of the distance, but the second time, I pushed it a little. I realized that sub-10 was possible once I got running and went for it.

KK: When did you realize you had won your age group again in 2007?

RR: I think I had the lead by 5 or 6 miles into the run. Then I realized it was the best I've ever felt in a marathon, so things were looking good and I just worked to hold the pace.

KK: What does it feel like to run down the finishers shoot at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii?

RR: It's so exciting... Such joy. And relief, at making it there after all those hours put in.

KK: What is a typical, if you can call it typical, training week consist of for you?

RR: I try to swim 2-3 times a week, I bike commute 30 miles/day 4 days a week and ride long one day on the weekend, and I run about 40 miles per week.

KK: How do you balance family, friends, career, training and racing?

RR: Family first, work second, and training and racing after that. When something has to go, workouts are missed, but that's just the way it goes sometimes.

KK: What tips would you give to someone just getting started in triathlon?

RR: Practice transitions, like a total geek in a park somewhere, because that's free time.

KK: With the amount of time, training and commitment it takes to complete an Ironman; when is the right time to do Ironman?

RR: Whenever one wants to. I did my first in Kona my second year of racing. But then I lined up in 2008 unmotivated and it showed, in race day performance and in the day to day training.

KK: Does living in Hawaii give you an advantage over others who may not be prepared for the wind and humidity?

RR: Sure, I'm acclimated. I rarely notice the temperature when racing in Kona.

KK: What team are you racing with this year?

RR: This will be my third year on Team Timex and I'm very excited to be part of such a great group.

KK: What do you have in store for 2009?

RR: California 70.3, Honolulu Triathlon, Hawaii 70.3, Escape from Alcatraz and four fall marathons.

KK: Is there anything you would like to add about yourself?

RR: I think that about sums me up.

** In 2008 Rachel went back to the Ironman World Championship to defend her 2007 1^st place age group finish. This magnificent athlete finished 3rd in the 30-34 age group in Hawaii and 4th overall age grouper. Congratulations Rachel.

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