Heather Staeven
DOB: July 26, 1973
Family: Not married and no kids;
just a boyfriend.
Occupation: Attorney
Racing Category: Age grouper
Racing Experience (in years): This is my 3rd year of racing.
Bike(s): A really old and heavy Trek moutainbike and an Orbea TT bike that I love!
Hobbies:I love to knit!
Why Do You Compete?
I grew up swimming competitively since the age of 5 and went on to play water polo at Michigan where I was also asked to attend tryouts for the US Olympic Team. I am super competitive, and I love the feeling of pushing my body and seeing what I can do. For me, racing is all mental, and I am competing against myself. I only wish I had picked this up right after college. My job is extremely stressful, so working out gives me a chance to release the stress.
What Is Your Favorite Race Memory?
I think my favorite race memory was crossing the finish line at Ironman Florida. I suffered a bad knee injury a couple weeks before the race, so I was really doubting myself because I literally could not run. I was sure that I would not be able to finish, so I was considering pulling out of the race. I did not want to quit, so I did the race and walked the entire 26.2 mile run (I think that was worse than running it - my feet were so sore!). That was such a long walk, and it gave me a lot of time to reflect. I just knew I had to finish. I could not be caught crossing the finish line walking, so I managed to run down the chute. I finished the race, my boyfriend put my medal around my neck at the finish line, and it was absolutely the greatest feeling.
What's Your Most Embarrassing Race Memory?
At my first ever triathlon in Holland, I was so nervous and felt so rushed during T1 that I put my aero helmet on backwards. I didn't notice this until someone yelled at me as I was mounting my bike. I was mortified!
