Professional Soccer player turned triathlete, this young lady has her sights on racing as elite in a few years. Ladies and Gentlemen take a few minutes to read about Sara Davis

KK: Where did you grow up?

SD: I grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA lived there until my junior year of high school and my family moved to San Clemente, CA.

KK: What was your athletic background before getting into triathlon?

SD: I grew up as an athlete. My dad always treated me like I was a little boy. Growing up I was always the tomboy. I started with soccer, surfing, volleyball, basketball, swimming, track and probably more. It got to a point mid high school that I had to choose a sports, I track, cross country but eventually just picked soccer. I was on varsity in all three sports my freshman year of high school and got a college scholarship to University of Washington for soccer. I played there for 2 years then transferred to Cal State Northridge for my last two years. I was invited to try out for professional soccer teams in Sweden, Netherlands and Italy.. I made all three teams and had issues with getting a working visa so playing professional soccer in Europe didn't work out for me.

KK: Tell us about your academic background.

SD: Went to University of Washington for 2 years and finished up school at Cal State Northridge majoring in Kinesiology.

KK: What do you do for a living?

SD: I am a personal trainer and also waitress.

KK: What was your first triathlon? How did it go?

SD: My first triathlon was LA Tri Series #1 in 2008. I got first place in my age group and 5th woman overall. It was only a sprint and I remember just being exhausted afterwards. 

KK: What kind of gear and bike did you have?

SD: I have Scott Plasma that was given to me by Ladera Cyclery.

KK: Why did you get involved triathlon?

SD: Well, after my professional soccer career didn't work out I was feeling kind of lost. My sister lived on the big island and I went out to live there for a couple months. At the time I really had no idea what the ironman was and what it really entailed.  Being in Kona I was intrigued by all the athletes, I ran along Ali'i drive often following other athletes training seeing if I could keep up, swam the swim course a couple times a week. I even ran into Chris McCormick, not knowing really who he was, at a Quizzno's. I started talking to him and I asked him how many he's done and how he expected to do and he said, "If I win it, this will be my last time in Kona." Well, that was the year he won it, and I don't think that was his last time in Kona either. Anyway, the day I got back to the mainland I bought myself a crappy bike and started training. I haven't looked back since. 

KK: What distances do you enjoy racing?

SD: Seeing that this is only my second year in the sport, I don't really know which my favorite distance is. I would love to get up to the ironman distances and be competitive in them, but who knows if I will actually like doing them. I really like the short distances because they are fast, but I love the training that I have to put into the longer distances.

KK: You are training for your first 70.3 (Vineman), congratulations, how does your training differ from what you have dome in the past?

SD: My training for Vineman is a lot longer than what I was doing in the past. 

KK: Where are some of your favorite places to train?

SD: I lived in Monterey from January to end of May. I loved training on 17 mile drive, it was just so beautiful. The only thing I hated about it was the cold, I actually had to wear layers, and I would still be cold..  I am a spoiled southern California girl. I love training in San Clemente, there are so many secret places to go. And it's always fun to swim with my masters group at noon. Those guys kick my butt!

KK: What is your favorite race so far? Why?

SD: Wildflower by far. That race was amazing. I was a little scared to be camping before my race, but the people were amazing with the "waterfalls" and hoses, cheering, I had too much fun during that race.

KK: What is about triathlon that you enjoy?

SD: I love that it's all on me. I was involved in a team sport in forever, I loved it, but its nice to have all my hard work pay off for me. I love training for myself, being outside and competing hard. 

KK: What does your family and friends think of you doing triathlons?

SD: They think I'm crazy, duh.

KK: Which one of the three disciplines, what is your strongest event?

SD: Running

KK: Which areas do you think you need to improve?

SD: All three

KK: What advice would you give to someone wanting to get started in the sport of triathlon?

SD: Do not do your first race without doing a brick, your legs will be shocked and you will feel like you have cinder blocks attached to your feet!

KK: What are some of your triathlon goals?

SD: I want to compete as an Elite triathlete by 2011 and be a tough competitor; I have a lot of training to do! 

KK: What else would you like our readers to know about you?

SD: While I was living in Monterey I participated in 3 cattle brandings. Yes, I learned how to rope cattle, throw them onto the ground, cut off their balls and horns, give those shots and send them on their way... All thanks to Pedrazzi Farms....gitty up! 

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