Racing Category: Cat 4 (the fact that I am in a “category” is a bit intimidating to begin with=0)

Residenze: San Diego, CA

Resume: I’ve done a typical variety: ½ marathons, marathons, triathlons (prefer Oly. Distance, but attempting first half this fall), one road race (I promise to get this number up!) and a duathlon.

Nick-name: Meri, Mer

Bikes I ride: Kuota K-Factor Tri Bike, Cannondale R500 road bike

How I support my Bike Habit: By being a happy graduate assistant (and I’m currently job searching); and my husband is kind enough to provide me with the occasional food/clothing and shelter

Best Time on the Bike: 2005 & 2006 Boulder Peak triathlon…nothing like climbing Old Stage road and just taking in the view. For non-races—I love riding up Old Hwy 101 in San Diego by the ocean.

Worst Time on the Bike: March of 2006-slid on dirt near a corner and the bike flew out from beneath me—and I landed chin first….didn’t even know I was bleeding there because it was numb, I thought I was just bleeding on my knee. I felt drunk the rest of the day from a mild concussion.

My Motto: It’s not having what you want—it’s wanting what you’ve got

Favorite Post-Ride Food: It’d have to be sushi—but Mexican, Italian and Thai could also be close!

Favorite Web Site: www.travelocity.com (always looking for my next vacation!)

Grab Bag: My first job out of college was working in DC on Capitol Hill for Dick Gephardt…I secretly miss working in politics.