Featured Member: Nancy Gansen

Tell us about yourself:

I grew up on a farm in River Falls, WI, with 3 brothers in a Catholic Irish-Polish family.  That should explain a lot.  I did my undergrad there, and then I went to U of Iowa to get my Master's in Speech Pathology.  I've always worked with children and now work part-time in early intervention (ages birth-to-three).  My husband is from LaX and is a physics prof at UW-L.  We have two kids: our daughter Jenna is 7, and our son Riley is 4.  I love physical activity, but my first love is running.  Besides triathlon training, I also enjoy hiking, canoeing, and downhill skiing.  Hobbies I'd like to do again someday are photography and more reading.

How long have you been doing triathlons?

Since 2001 ish

How long have you been a Bluff Buster? 

Um, 1.5 yrs

What is your triathlon background?

On the way to the Fitness Loft on Iowa's campus, I saw a flyer for the tri club, and I had to join.  I was allowed to train w/ the club even though I had graduated, but I did feel old when I went to Vegas w/ the 18 year olds (nationals was in AZ so we had to stay in Vegas for a night.). I ran track and cross country in high school; swimming was my weakness.  I did a number of Olympic races with the Iowa club, and now I'm doing sprints.

What is your favorite race distance?

Sprint

What are your triathlon goals for 2014?

I want to bike 18 mph and run 8 min miles.  I want to remember to appreciate the ability to even compete.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I like to photograph repeating patterns in nature.  At least that's interesting to me. Too many to list really.

What is your favorite song or album to workout to?

I'm low-tech while exercising.

What motivates you?

I feel great when I'm active.

What is your favorite workout?

Hills in Hixon

What can’t you live without?

Chocolate dipped in peanut butter

What is one book that everyone should read?

Lonesome Dove.  A tad violent but it all weaves together so well.

What chore do you absolutely hate doing?

Most of them

If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?

It'd be for all my girlfriends, and I'd have a mimosa bar.  In central California with the vineyards and hills all around. We'd have to bike and hike, as well.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can tie a cherry stem w/ my tongue of course.