Desiree Ficker

-- Date of Birth: 12/9/76

-- Height: 5'7

-- Weight: 125

-- When was your first multi-sport race?

The Ironkids bread triathlon in Roanoke, VA. I was 14 and had a running injury so I started riding my bike. My mom suggested we go for a trip to the race together (I grew up in Potomac, MD). It turned out to be a fabulous idea because not only did I win the race but I won and all-expense paid trip for myself and two family members to the National Ironkids Bread Tri Championship at Sea World in San Antonio!

-- What was your first memory of your first ever run or race of any kind?

My first running race I can remember was when I was four years old. It was called the "Piece of Cake" race. I don't remember how far or much else about how it felt but I remember my mother telling me it was called the "Piece of Cake" both because they provided cake afterwards and because it was easy. I exclaimed to my mom "But that wasn't easy at all!" :)

-- Personal best Half IM?

2004 Blackwater Eagleman, 4:19, 2nd overall to Natascha Badmann

-- Personal Best IM?

2000, 10:45 2nd place age group 20-24, plan to go back to this distance in the near future

-- Personal Best 10K Run?

34:22

-- Personal Best Marathon?

2:48:36

-- Personal Favorite Triathlon race?

It's a close tie between Ironman Hawaii and the Escape from Alcatraz tri.

Why?

You cannot compare a race with the fittest people on the planet on the majestic, fragrant island of Hawaii to any other. It is an entity within itself. However, I have never experienced a more unique or exciting race as the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. Complete with plank jumping, 58-degree water, beach running, and sand stair climbing there is never a dull moment!

---Personal Favorite Swimming Location?

"The Cove", La Jolla, CA

-- Personal Favorite Cycling Route/Location?

Mt. St Vrain climb to Estes Park in Boulder, CO- a 2-hour climb that never seems to end!

-- Personal Favorite Running Route/Location?

Mesa Trail, Boulder, CO

-- Personal Favorite Running race?

Pikes Peak 10k, Rockville, MD-it are all downhill!

-- Personal Favorite Quote?

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an unchartered land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." Helen Keller

-- Personal Favorite Movies?

Life is Beautiful, Amelie, and Garden State

-- Advice for new triathletes (or runners):

The first few weeks of anything new can be awkward, frustrating and painful. Whether it be in learning to drive a manual car for the first time or training your body to swim continuously for a full mile, often times it is the mind and not the body that can keeps us from succeeding. Be willing to be patient and have confidence that what was once uncomfortable will soon bring you joy.

-- Most Embarrassing Moment in your competitive career (so far)? **

Dropping out of the 2003 Ironman Wisconsin due to dehydration after leading the race for more than 8 hours. I was lying down on the side of the road waiting for the ambulance with a huge TV camera lens in my face! I still have to take revenge on that one!!

-- Role Model(s)?

1. Jane Goodall

2. Jackie Joyner Kersee

-- Biggest ambition in life?

Short Term: to make the 2008 Olympic Team in triathlon

Long Term: to live everyday as if it is my last

-- What are the three biggest things that have had the biggest impact on your life?

1. My parents

2. My travels

3. My friendships

Webmaster note: Desiree came on the Austin scene with a flourish by winning the Pace Bend Road Race (bike) breaking away solo from a top field of the best women cyclists. No one knew who she was! Who is this Desiree Ficker?! Now we know her as one of the most gracious and elite of the Triathletes of our region and even from the whole United States. It was hard to track her down for this interview, as she is a globetrotting multi-sporter doing her thing all over the planet.

Go Desiree!