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 Amanda ran her first race, an all uphill 6K, when she was 11 years old. She was hooked and continued racing throughout high school and college. Injuries during her college track season forced her onto the bike and into the pool where she found a new love. Amanda has competed in multiple triathlons and loves the spirit of the sport.
Amanda is energized by the outdoors and loves horseback riding, hiking, camping, snowboarding, and mountain biking. She was first introduced to the Breast Cancer Fund and Luna Chix when she applied to be a part of the Climb Against the Odds team in 2006. She knows many women who have been affected by breast cancer and she is thrilled to be part of the Phoenix Luna Chix team to bring awareness to the environmental causes that may be contributing to the high number of breast cancer cases. Currently, Amanda is in her final year of the doctorate of physical therapy program at A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ.
 Grew up in Carmel, IN and participated in cross country, track and swimming, winning several team state championships and breaking the state record in the 4 x 800 relay in 1999 and again in 2002. Won 9 varsity letters in high school and went on to attend Michigan State University with a swimming scholarship. Competed in the breastroke and at the time, held the 2nd fastest 100 breastroke time in the program's history. Graduated with a degree in psychology in 2006, and moved to North Carolina to run the Junior Swim League program and coach masters swimming for Swim Mac Carolina. Ran first marathon in 2007 (Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon), qualifying for Boston. Has since done 8 marathons, with a personal best of 3:06. Has done various half marathons, and competed in first triathlon in 2010. Has since done numerous sprints, one olympic, and 2 half iron-distonce races. Passions include competition, running, greyhound rescue, charity work, and motivating and inspiring others to get involved in endurance sports. Loves to introduce others to the sport and watch them learn and succeed. Getting married in summer 2013 to a triathlete, and enjoys staying active and exercising with her fiance.
 All of my best stories start with "I bought this Groupon" and my triathlon story starts with a Groupon for a bootcamp class. The first day of class we were asked to run one mile and made it to about a quarter mile before I walked. I was 44 years old with a five year old and doing the math I realized I needed to live another 40 quality years. I started Couch to 5k and completed my first running event at Pat's Run in April 2011. I bought a bike and registered for the Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge in honor and support of my best friend who was battling breast cancer and completed my first group training ride with the LUNA Chix. During that ride not only did they keep me safe but planted the seeds of triathlon. At the Women's Half Marathon expo I stopped at the Tri for the Cure booth and set my sights on completing my first triathlon. I fell in love and been hooked ever since. In May 2012 my friend lost her battle to breast cancer and I decided to honor her love of life by taking her spirit with me to complete Ironman Oceanside 70.3 in March 2013. I'm currently training for Ironman Arizona and excited to have not only the support of my wonderful family but this awesome group of women along my journey.
Andrea is a certified Project Management Professional at AT&T where she manages in-building cellsite build programs for Enterprise and public venues. She's active in her community as a volunteer, manages her son's club soccer team and enjoys teaching Mathematics at Glendale Community College when time permits.
 Jenny Holsman Tetreault serves as Corporate Counsel for Rural/Metro Corporation. She is responsible for all company legal work in the West Region and handles contract drafting and negotiation, litigation, employment and labor issues, and mergers and acquisitions.
Before and after work, Jenny can be found swimming, biking and running around Phoenix. She participated in her first triathlon in 2004 and has been competing every since (most recently completing her second Half Ironman at Barb's Race in Sonoma, CA). She is always cheered on by her husband, Colin, who has completed three Ironman races in Arizona and Japan.
Jenny is also a certified yoga instructor, and is finishing up her 500 hour Master Certification. Yoga for Athletes is her area of expertise and she loves combining her love of sports with yoga and meditation.
 After moving to Arizona several years ago, Laura was looking for a way to stay in shape, be active and meet people. She joined her work running group (feeling intimidated because she'd never ran more than a mile or two in her life!) The running was so much fun she ran a 5k, then a 10K, than a 1/2 marathon and pretty soon was running full marathons and hooked! After meeting several triathletes and Ironman finishers through running she was encouraged to try the sport of triathlon. She started with just a duathlon because she never learned to swim as a child. But she wanted more. She took swim lessons and completed her first sprint triathlon. A couple of years later she completed her first Ironman. She placed number one in her age division for the 2010 AZ Age Group State Championship Series, qualified for the 2011 USAT Age Group Nationals, and has podiumed in running races and numerous triathlons. She loves to encourage and motivate other women to join in the fun and be active, and is passionate about raising awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Fund as this disease has affected her friends and family.
 Fill the void. That's how I started running for endurance. I needed to fill a void when our oldest daughter left for college. I decided to join a local group of runners and train for the Inaugural P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll Phoenix 1/2 marathon. I was interested in running longer distances and now I had the time with only our son at home. I would be taking our daughter back to college in January so I was excited to accept this new challenge and run the race during her mid-semester break. I've lived my life as a full time Physical Educator, teaching and coaching as a career, so now I was going to get to pass on new experiences in my teaching career by beginning a running challenge for myself. I do believe that you have to set an example as both an educator and a parent and this was my opportunity. I began running "long" runs with my new friends on Saturday mornings. Three miles, six miles, 8 miles, 10 miles then even 13 miles to get ready for my 1/2 marathon. I experienced new friendship and motivation to run. I wasn't a runner in high school or college, however; I did enjoy squeezing in a 2-4 mile jog to clear my mind after work, before dinner or just to get out on a nice day! The void was certainly filled, and I completed my first 1/2 marathon in January 2004. I had so much fun that I asked my running coach if I could run the Houston 1/2 marathon the next weekend. One week later, I completed the 1/2 marathon in Houston, TX 8 minutes faster.
One year later, I completed my first marathon while living in Houston Texas. I was filling the void with new friends and living my dream of challenging myself as I asked my students to do everyday. I loved the physical exercise, the friendships and the medals! The goals were still frightful and challenging every time I signed up for a new event. There was lots of juggling to do in order to maintain family, career and have a personal goals on the line. But, the benefits were endless, from finally dropping the "baby weight" to "having something to do" as my children said I needed to have as they grew into young adults themselves!
My experience also includes my life long love of cycling. I have cycled thousands of miles on my road bike. While living in the Houston area, I completed twelve MS150 bike rides from Houston to Austin Texas. This is a great opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful 183 miles of Texas on a bike while raising money for a great cause. I've also biked in Washington State, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, British Columbia and Alberta Canada.
Adding triathlons seemed like the next fun step in challenging my physical capabilities. I started with the sprint tri's and have worked my way up to 1/2 ironman races. I'm still looking for the motivation to push the button on a full ironman!
I feel my opportunity as a LUNA Chix has come full circle since my "career" as an athlete started here! I am excited to be living in the Phoenix area and am ready to share my experiences with others who are interested in the sport of running, cycling and triathlons.
 Due to severe asthma, Meg avoided sports for most of her life. However, after starting a much improved asthma medication, she trained for her first half Marathon starting in August 2008. During her training she began running with a very active, and persuasive woman, who convinced her to try a sprint triathlon in June 2009. With three weeks training under her belt, a borrowed bike and a great deal of trepidation, she tackled her first triathlon. It was no walk in the park. Things got rough in the water when she had an asthma attack and had to be rescued. Disqualified but characteristically determined, she requested permission from the race director to finish the race. Needless to say, she felt intimidated by the swim, but nonetheless was hooked on the sport by the time she crossed the finish line. She quickly got back into open water with the help of good friends and built her confidence. Within a month, she successfully tacked a second sprint, then an olympic. In 2010 she successfully trained for and completed her first Half Ironman in Lake Steven's, WA and in November of 2012, Meg completed her first Ironman, Ironman Arizona. Meg is excited to be a part of supporting such a great cause with Luna Chix and hopes her story will inspire other women who otherwise might be intimidated by the sport of triathlon to confront their fears, accomplish their goals and feel the satisfaction that comes from overcoming their limitations.
 Renee began long distance running in 1997 when she walked-on to her college cross-country team (Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, Division III). She ran her sophomore and junior years and found a passion for the sport that lead her to run her first marathon as a junior in college in 1998. After finishing her first marathon, she desired more and began a quest to run 1 marathon a year. It wasn’t until 2009 that she was inspired to qualify for the Boston marathon and complete a decade long dream of doing a triathlon. In September 2009 Renee completed her first sprint triathlon, using a mountain bike, and overcame an intense fear and dislike of open water swimming. That December, Renee ran the Tucson marathon attempting to qualify for Boston and missed the cut off for her age group by 11 seconds. Feeling defeated, a friend suggested that she join a local running group for inspiration and advice. She joined the East Valley Runners in January of 2010 and in June of 2010 she ended up qualifying for Boston at the Rock n Roll San Diego marathon. As the feeling of accomplishment continued to grow, Renee then decided to take on the goal of doing Ironman Arizona. Initially she took on the training for the Ironman by herself, but quickly found a network of friends, working towards the same goal, which made the experience of training just as rewarding as the finish line!
When she is not training Renee spends her time as a physical therapist. She specializes in the treatment of runners and triathletes.
Renee has learned through running and triathlons that even though the sports are considered individual, it’s the advice, inspiration and friendships of others that elevate the experience of training and accomplishment of athletic goals to another level. Renee is very excited to be a part of the Luna Chix team and looks forward to sharing her passion for running and triathlons, along with her knowledge as a physical therapist, with new and experienced athletes to help them reach their goals.
 I really believe that triathlon saved my life. I found triathlon four years ago, after being sedentary and very overweight for most of my life. I started riding my bike to work, and I barely made it the seven miles, but I loved it. Then one day, as I walked in the door at home, I announced, I am going to do Ironman. I had no idea what that meant or what it would entail, but I knew I was going to try it.
Soon after that, I participated in my first sprint race, and couldn’t believe that I was out there. I was so excited the first time someone called me a triathlete. Something about racing seemed to click with me, and even though I am pretty slow, I love to race. Less than a year later, I followed through signed up for Ironman Arizona. Then life kind of fell apart.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Treatment included many surgeries, chemo, radiation, and a year of IV therapy. I had a lot of surgical complications, and ended up with open chest wounds, failed reconstructions and six weeks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Through it all I kept riding, I looked forward to time with my bike trainer everyday, and trying to run when I could.
I kept telling myself I should withdraw from IMAZ, but I just couldn’t do it, so seven months before the race, when I was nearing the end of treatment, I talked to my coach Bill Wilson, and asked if he thought he could help me get to the start line, and maybe the finish line of Ironman AZ. I would just be finishing up the last of my IV treatments a few weeks before the race. He laid out a training plan for me, and I followed it like my life depended on it. There were some hiccups along the way, but I made it to the start line. When I got in the water for the mass start, it was amazing. It was a hard day, but when I crossed that finish line, I felt like I had found myself again.
After that race, things took a turn personally, divorce and being diagnosed with lymphedema, a complication from the cancer treatment. I started racing more, and found a great group of people to train and race with. It was the second time that being active helped me make it through challenges that seemed insurmountable. While I have had some scares recently, and there are a few lingering issues from treatment, I feel amazing and am healthier than ever. I really love the community that I have found in triathlon, and the strength I have gained from being active.
I have raced several sprints, olympics, and half iron distance, and finished my third IMAZ in November 2011 with a PR. It was an amazing day, mostly because I was out there racing with friends on the course and cheering from the roadside. 2011 was an amazing year. I made wonderful friends, many who I am lucky to have as team mates and training partners. I have completed some amazing races and adventures, including a 1:25 PR at Ironman Arizona and several 30 minute race PRs at the half marathon and half Ironman distance. I was lucky enough to run in Death Valley, beautiful, and a four person Ragnar in Washington State, where sometimes the landscapes took my breath away.
While I have a lot of scars, both physical and emotional, I feel incredibly blessed to be here and able to be a member of this community. I hope that I can help others realize that anyone can get into sport, whether it is triathlon, running or anything that gets you moving. I am honored to be part of Luna Chix, and am looking forward to more opportunities to give back some of what triathlon has given me.
 Attitude of Gratitude- Life is a gift.
Happily married with four well behaved, rescued dogs.
A runner first, hooked since the very first 5K, race a breast cancer run in 1999. Since that weekend over 16 years ago, many marathons later, triathlons are a way of life, and thrilled to help others who want to train.
Dedication to; healthy life balance, and helping others become well rounded through sport and fundraising.
I love Triathlons and the journey of training, most importantly.
This will be year of celebrating recovery from knee surgery on a new ACL donor tissue named "Bob".
Fundraising for the cause is as personal as it can get.
Lived in; Ohio, Tucson, Phoenix, South Lake Tahoe, California, back to Phoenix.
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