News flash - I got stupid and signed up for the Ironman 70.3 next August - I should have my head examined - it will be half-Ironman #8 and hopefully a good note to go out on...I'm going back to Oz for the third time in March and the plan is for a trip to South Africa in 2011.

So, how does one define oneself outside of a sport (triathlon) that one has been involved with for so many years...

Well, I suppose that you go back to basics - your interests, passions, drives, and what makes your heart flutter. Is that how it goes?

I work full time, and have just recently given up my weekend job and gained another one with shorter hours (a night shift). This will hopefully still allow me to train for the odd race and keep a bit of a social life going as well.

I can be stubborn, driven, focussed (I'm really good at this for short periods of time), and a pain in the butt, but if you're willing to try to break through the surface and see what lies beneath this headstrong chick, you won't be disappointed. I am not a player or a liar, and would expect the same in anyone I meet here. I have a brain and I use it - the body is under renovation. I am in the process of trying to get myself out of Stage III adrenal fatigue at the moment and get my training back on track. I eat ultra healthy and continue to work out 5 times a week (will be ramping up to 6 once I get the go ahead to get my base training underway in January).

I will let you know how I feel about things without dancing around issues - I feel that if you can't be up front and honest with someone, it's really not a good way to start a relationship of any sort. Sometimes tact isn't my strong suit, but at least you'll always know where you stand with me.

I guess I'm looking for intelligence and social graces; a man who has his stuff together - let's face it, at my age, we all have baggage - the important thing is what we've done with it. It's important to take it out, dump it on the floor, throw it about for a bit, shove it back in its case, and forget about it, but not the lessons learned. I have been burned, yes...however, I can safely say that I'm totally over it, and can move forward again with confidence.

Never had kids - I guess I just don't believe that having children will be the cement to hold together a failing marriage is all. I have no problem with men with their own kids, and now I'm too old to have any of my own safely. It's all good...I can be a good friend to someone else's kids. I also spend my weekends working with at-risk kids in a group home setting and really enjoy the job.

I am NOT skinny - although I am athletic, and am finding it a bit frustrating with how many guys are still looking for surface rather than substance in a person. I suppose it's the curse of the internet. I'm real, opinionated, smart, crazy, love the outdoors, love to jump on the bike when I have time (either motorized or the self-propelled variety) and just go...NOT into golf, unless it's the annual company tourney and I can find an excuse for why the stick-like thing refuses to make contact with the little white ball and make it close to the gopher hole.

I'm comfortable in my own skin, have enough on my plate to keep me busy, and live a pretty fulfilling life (yes, I own my own house - and I didn't win it in the divorce). I'm still open to the possibility that somewhere, sometime, I may actually meet someone worthwhile...hopeless romantic that I am. I'd also love to quit my weekend job, so if you're rich - LET'S TALK! (kidding). I'm quite capable of staying self-sufficient, and expect the same in a partner.

I have my Class 6 license, and have my own truck and three bicycles (okay, at the moment one of them is kind of missing its wheels and needs a couple of new derailleurs...but with a little TLC it could be functional again). I also own one of the motorized varieties - a 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa for fun.

My criteria - no married types, no puppies, no smokers, no egomaniacs - if you're looking for Barbie for your Ken - I'm not the girl. I value confidence, honesty, frankness, openness and kindness (and any other positive "ness" you would like to include here).

You have to like critters - I have two Great Danes and two cats that share my humble abode with me. The dogs keep me young (one does agility and is just about to start in Rally Obedience) and the cats keep me humble - and yes, I'm their staff.

Just one addendum - please, Please - if you're going to add me as a favorite, it would sure be nice to at least exchange a couple of messages first...also...just an observation on my part - I prefer men who can put a proper sentence together with correct grammar and spelling...makes my head twist backwards when I have to deal with poor spelling/grammar.

There's a lot more to me, but I do much better in person! E-mail me and we'll see if we connect at all.

Take suggestions...then decide...that's the best first date (and a good way to learn something about you without having to ask all kinds of leading questions)