Profile

Name:

Ann Elizabeth Warner

Hometown:

Spokane, WA

Date of Birth:

November 2, 1979

Education:

BS in Construction Management from Northern Arizona University

Interests:

Rock climbing, cooking, art, reading, x-c skiing

Favorites:

Amish Oatmeal at Cielo Bakery and sushi, The River Why and the Fountainhead, Jimmy Buffett and Pearl Jam, Priest Lake, ID and Flagstaff, AZ, What Not to Wear and Heros, Cookinglight.com

Growing Up

I grew up in Spokane, Washington. I started swimming on a summer swim team when I was 8 and switched to Spokane Area Swimming, the local USA Swimming Team when I was 12. I didn't fall in love with swimming immediately. I wrote to older cousin, a swimmer, telling her that I was swimming but didn't know if I'd continue since it was hard and I had to get up too early. My dad pointed out that these might not be the best reasons not to swim. From that point on I decided that hard work and early mornings where part of swimming and that going to meets and seeing friends made it all worth it.

Swimming

I swam for SAS through high school then went to Northern Arizona University on a swimming scholarship. I majored in Construction Management and swam the 100 and 200 Breastroke and the 200 and 500 Freestyle. I set team records in the 100 and 200 breastroke and relays.

Transition

While in Flagstaff I started rock climbing. There are great spires and rock walls throughtout the Southwest that kept me busy most weekends. After finishing my swimming career rock climbing was my main focus. But after a year or two I started to miss competition. My dad did triathlons when I was growing up and I'd always wanted to try one and figured a triathlon was a good reason to stay in shape.

My Start in Triathlon

The Coeur d' Alene Scenic Challenge was my first triathlon. I was first out of the water then watched several people that knew how to ride a bike pass me. As I started the run I was in about 6th place. A helpful volunteer cheered me on saying, "Don't worry the girl ahead of you is just a swimmer, you'll catch her." As a swimmer, that didn't do much for my confidence and I never did catch her, but I was hooked.

I did a couple more triathlons the following summer but spent most of the summer climbing in Europe. That fall, I decided to focus on triathlons. My husband Pete and I built a garage for a friend to make money to buy a bike that fit. That quickly improved my cycling. I also hired a coach and won enough races to turn pro the following season.

This is my third season as a pro, I have been focusing on the "Haul to the Wall" ITU Point series. I have recently started training with a new coach who has been challenging and pushing me.

At Home

Pete and I got married in the summer of 2005 and live in Nine Mile Falls, WA, outside of Spokane. Pete completed his first Ironman in Coeur d' Alene in June. We train together when we can, but he is busy building a lap pool in our backyard. I try not to distract him from that because I'm ready to swim!

I have a younger brother who lives in Seattle and plays in the altcountry band the Maldives. You can check them out at http://www.myspace.com/themaldives. My younger sister recently moved back to Spokane and is becoming a super seamstress at White's Boots. My parents live in Spokane as well. My family is very supportive of my racing and come to many races. I wouldn't be where I'm at without them.