DC Triathlon TEAM

Cris started doing triathlons in 2007 with a Danskin all-women's race in Denver. Cris got hooked immediately and completed two more races that year, bringing other first-time triathletes to each one. Before she started racing she "dabbled" in each of the three disciplines, but never competed or even really worked out consistently in any of them. Her favorite part of the sport is cheering on the other participants during the race. She loves meeting new workout partners at the LunaChix events and helping to bring the fun of the sport to other women. Cris' other interests include hiking with her big yellow dog and knitting.

Sports have been a part of Heather's life since she was young. Despite not always being very good - she was once caught picking flowers in the soccer goal rather than paying much attention to the game - she always loved being outside and running around. At the encouragement of her rowing coach in college, Heather started racing tris in the summers to stay in shape for the fall season and was hooked immediately. Not only does tri not require hand/eye coordination, the community is the most supportive she has ever been part of and even after 13 seasons of racing she is still challenged and regularly finds opportunities for improvement. Heather loves being part of a team less focused on the podium and more focused on inspiring women to live a healthy lifestyle. When not swimming, riding or running, Heather can be found cooking, enjoying a nice glass of wine or traveling around the country visiting friends and family.

Jodi is an active woman of the new millennium. She has a diverse athletic background, which includes swimming (!!!!), field hockey, rowing, cycling, rollerblading, x-country skiing, triathlon (of course), and yoga (OK -- Jodi's yoga practice isn't all that up to date, but she strives towards centered and stretchy-bendy). She enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her most excellent golden retriever, Caribou. To support her hobbies and love of travel, Jodi is lucky to work as a biomedical engineer .... In a commencement speech, Oprah Winfrey once said ..."I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing, the best I can be doing it. [It gives] a surge, a kind of energy field that says, I'm in my groove. I'm in my groove. And nobody has to tell me *you go girl* because I know I'm already gone." But, no worries -- Jodi won't be leaving anybody in the dust, so go out and join her and the rest of the DC Luna Chix to get outside and play !

A college swimmer who found her way to triathlon while still in college, Julie has been competing in triathlons of all distances from sprint to Ironman since 1997. Though it's been a few years since she ventured into an Ironman race. The pure enjoyment of watching women develop confidence in the sport of triathlon and accomplish their goals is what brings Julie back to Team LUNA Chix year after year. When she's not swimming, biking or running, Julie can be found on long walks through nature with husband Jeff and her 85 lbs collie Tucker. When relaxing indoors, Julie prefers curling up on the couch with a good book rather than in front of the TV, but she does enjoy an episode of Say Yes To The Dress every now and then. But if the Washington Capitals are playing, Julie can always be found ROCKIN THE RED and sometimes jumping up and down on the couch screaming at the TV.

KC is definitely hooked! This is her fourth year of racing triathlons, mostly olympic distance with some sprints thrown in each season. Fresh from foot surgery, we'll see how this season goes. KC has even hooked her 64 year old mother into the sport who competes in CT who is right now in better shape than she is! When not out racing around in athletic gear, KC teaches high school math and is grade dean to the 10th grade class, which is much like herding cats. At home she enjoys gardening and mowing her lawn with an old fashioned push mower or knitting for all of her friends who are having babies left and right.

Laura participated in her first triathlon in 2004 after a co-worker essentially dared her to do it. Even before doing the actual race she was hooked on the sport. Triathlons have now become a very important part of her life; and though she will probably never be a podium finisher, triathlons spark an internal competitiveness where in each race she strives to better than the last. When Laura is not swimming, biking or running she is usually doing something with her three boys and her husband. And in her spare time she is the PTA president and an assistant coach for flag football and baseball.

Having never really participated in competitive sports growing up, Michelle was instantly hooked to road races after her first race in 2007. Michelle has run several marathons and in November 2009 she finished the JFK 50 miler. In 2008, having overcome the common swimming hurdle, Michelle participated in her first triathlon and was swept up in the fun. Michelle will compete in her first Half Ironman in October and hopes a full ironman is in her future. Remembering how far she has come as a perfectly average athlete keeps Michelle going and feeds her passion for health and fitness. Michelle is thrilled to be part of the LunaChix team and hopes her participation will help to inspire more women to get out and get active. After all, it was the LunaChix DC team that helped Michelle ease into triathlons. Michelle’s motto, “You are better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can.”