Angela Naeth is building up her triathlon resume, and taking it to the bank.
The 29 year old from Prince George has been taking advantage of the hot desert sunshine in Tucson, Ariz., to get off to a blazing start in her third season as a professional on the 70.3 Ironman circuit.
Her first three race results -- fifth in the Abu Dhabi International, first in an Olympic distance race in Kemah, Texas, and second in the 70.3 Ironman Texas -- all came with hefty paycheques in the $7,000 and $7,500 range. For Naeth, who has struggled to survive the financial hardships that come with being a self-supporting athlete, making money while participating in the sport she loves is the ultimate source of satisfaction.
"I love triathlon and I've been able to make a living out of it, I coach, and I love that aspect of the lifestyle," said Naeth, from her home in Tucson. "These last three races have helped make me feel at ease. Just having the ability to fly to a race and not worry if I'll be able to feed myself the next month takes a huge stress off me.
"It's gone really well, I think the sun helps. I've been here since Christmas time. I have access to a pool that's only a mile away and that's been really helpful. Just having a solid base where you can train every day and the sun's up, I can count on one hand how many times it's rained here. It's been hot."
So has Naeth, who picked up where she left off last year when she posted eight second-place finishes in the 70.3 Ironman series. The Abu Dhabi race included a three-kilometre swim, 200km bike and 20km run. For Naeth her fifth-place finish in a tough field provided reassurance as she prepares to tackle her ultimate goal -- the Hawaii Ironman.
"It was my first longer-distance race and I made a few mistakes along the way, but fifth was good," she said. "My mindset is to just give it my all and don't make mistakes, like not having the proper nutrition or hydration or you go out too hard on the bike.
"I did well last year but I think I needed more experience. This whole year is going to help me a lot in terms of trying to hold back on the bike so I have a solid run. This past race [two weeks ago in Texas] that was the fastest I've run in a half-Ironman. My swimming has improved quite a bit."
Her next race is a 70.3 event in two weekends in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Naeth now ranks second overall in the circuit. The top 25 qualify for the 70.3 world championship in Las Vegas in September. Naeth has applied to be part of the Canadian team for the ITU long course world championships, also in Las Vegas, in November.
Naeth and her coach, Chuckie Veylupek, plan to move to Boulder, Colo., for the summer, where they will be situated closer to the triathlon scene.
"We started kind of grassroots and we keep developing every year until we reach something we're proud of, and that could mean, in a couple years, entering my first Ironman," said Naeth. "Having him able to read me and work with me every day, that what's helped me the most."
Naeth, a graduate of Prince George secondary school in 2000, broke into the pro ranks in 2008 with three wins and six podium finishes in eight races. She suffered a stress fracture in her tibia while preparing for the 2009 season and did not compete that year.
Naeth will be featured as the subject of a cover story in Triathlon magazine, in the June or July issue. Her name is already known with some high-profile sponsors. BH Bikes of Spain is now backing her, along with Izumi, which provides her running shoes and swim wear. Victoria Physiotherapy, where she once worked as a therapist, is her biggest Prince George sponsor.
