June 16, 2006

Background Lovejoy's history didn't portend a budding triathlete. While she swam recreationally in high school, Lovejoy focused more on music, playing the piano, oboe, clarinet and saxophone. After graduating from UCSD, Lovejoy was battling chronic fatigue syndrome. Ironically, deciding to train for triathlon aided her in beating the illness. “It helped me regulate my energy,” she said. “I got into a rhythm of weekly training and loved it. Suddenly, I was more relaxed about everything.” Now in her fifth season of racing, Lovejoy placed second in her age group last weekend at the California Man Triathlon in Morgan Hill, completing the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile swim in 5 hours, 19 minutes, 58 seconds.

Quick hits Lovejoy, 33, earned a double major (literature/writing, psychology) and double minor (French, music) at UCSD. The Cali Man was her first half Ironman. She lives in Encinitas and works as a software technical writer. She races for the Zoot Triathlon Team.

Spin cycle Lovejoy's favorite tri discipline: cycling.

Quotable “It's a free feeling, riding, feeling the wind,” she said. “I enjoy covering a lot of ground. San Diego offers a variety of terrain. You get away, and it always clears your mind.”

Downtime Lovejoy's hobbies: cooking, movies, reading and writing. Anne Lamott is one of her favorite writers. “She's completely irreverent,” Lovejoy said. “Her style is about real life, real people. She's very good at making fun of people, including herself.”

– DON NORCROSS

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