Melinda Leong, San Francisco CA

While backpacking through Australia, Melinda and her friend awoke one morning to see cyclists and runners crisscrossing the road outside their hotel. After finding out that it was the Australia Half-Ironman, then held in Cairns, the following conversation ensued... Melinda: "Wow, that'd be so awesome to do a triathlon." Susan: "Then go do one." Melinda: "Ok." Despite never having run more than 5K, Melinda signed up to do the Wildflower Olympic distance triathlon through Team in Training. She enjoyed training so much that she vowed to do Ironman Arizona two years later, which she did. Along the way, she has completed Wildflower Olympic again, along with Half-Ironman California, Barb's Half-Ironman, Soma Half-Ironman, St. George Marathon, and Half-Vineman. She eagerly anticipates doing Wildflower Long and Great Floridian next year.