Yolanda Padilla

"There's no feeling like crossing the finish line...

2010 was a year with a ton of firsts for me as an endurance athlete; the biggest being the San Francisco Half Marathon & Austin 70.3. It taught me more about myself than I ever expected. I learned to depend on a team and ask for help, which can be tough for a type A personality. Triathlon training has given me a template for how I'd like to life my life. I thrive on structure and 2011 is where I plan to find the balance. Dedication, building friendships, knowledge, and patience are all part of my race plan for this season. This year I'm spending working on speed and technique before I take on my first Ironman in 2012, still TBD. I hope to submerge myself in the sport this year."

Yolanda's race schedule for 2011 includes Wildflower Long Course, Boulder 70.3, and the Chicago Marathon.