Name: Tracy Palmer

Age: 30

Coach: Amy Kloner

Personal: I have been pretty athletic all of my life. I played soccer and tennis, but once I learned to swim, it became my passion! I was a late bloomer to swimming with not really learning to swim competitively until I was 11. In fact, when I first started summer league swimming, my parents were told that I maybe should pursue something else. Well, with my very competitive spirit and a hidden talent for swimming (that eventually surfaced), I proved everyone wrong! I swam for Swim Atlanta through HS, qualified for Jr. Nationals, and scored in the top 5 in the state for my events (freestyle). I worked hard and earned a scholarship to swim for the University of Kentucky through college. At Kentucky, I met my husband, Brett, and the rest is history! We now live in Alpharetta with our two kids, Sullivan–Sully (5) and Ansley (3). Life is crazy with 2 little ones, but somehow I have found time to pursue the crazy world of triathlons! After competing in my first Olympic distance last year, I became instantly addicted and committed to the sport. I am really looking forward to my first full season in 2010!

Athletic experience/accomplishments: Swimming–Jr. National Qualifier in HS (50, 100 200 freestyle), National Qualifier in college, competed 98-02 at SEC Championships in 100, 200, and 500 freestyle with top 16 finishes.
Running–Zooma 1/2 marathon 2nd place in AG, Atlanta 1/2 4th in AG
Triathlon–Wildman Tri (Sprint) 1st in AG–4th overall, Tugaloo Tri (Olympic) 3rd in AG–9th overall

2010 Goals:

To improve my power on the bike so I am consistently one of the top female bike splits at all my races, to be more consistent off the bike, and to improve my mental toughness on hot, hilly run courses.Oh, and to have higher power outputs than Matt Russ at every Grind session!!

Inspiration: Brett, Sully, and Ansley—thanks for always cheering for me!  ”Go exercise, Mommy!”  :)