Name: Valarie Yoemans – that’s with 2 a’s. My mother couldn’t spell so she sounded it out. Haha!
Age: I’m 42 years old, and I love to get carded!
Occupation: I’ve been a Dental Assistant since 1997 and added Certified Phlebotomist to my resume in 2018, so that I can perform IV sedation assistance.
Years doing triathlon? I’ve been tri-ing for almost 7 years.
First Triathlon? My first triathlon was in 2013 at the Chapel Hill Ramblin’ Rose with Sarah Apel. She, being a seasoned triathlete, held back for me, so that we could finish each segment together. We even wore tiaras on the run. It was so much fun!
Your favorite triathlon? My favorite Tri would have tobeHighPointTri (putonbyTriviumRacing). They allow us to present an award for first time triathletes in honor of my brother in law, Ryan, who was taken from us before he could complete his first triathlon.
Meal the night before race? Jeremy’s amazing wife makes a great butternut squash risotto (Oh wait, that’s me).
Pre-Race Meal? My go to pre-race meal is Overnight soaked Gluten Free Oats with mashed banana, blueberries and almond butter. (Recipe by Gwyn Jorgensen/ she eats this pre-race)
Favorite motivational training song? My favorite motivational songs are “You can’t stop me” by Andy Mineo and “Shippin’ up to Boston” by Drop Kick Murphies. Jeremy and I always play these before any race. Definite motivators.
Favorite mantra? My favorite mantra is “Just Breathe!” Cindy Baggett told me this for the first several miles of my first sub 2hr half marathon.
Key Workout? Whatever Jordan McAmmond, Jeremy or Stevven Anderson tell me to do. I’m typically a rule follower, so I try to just do what they tell me.
Best Triathlon training or racing tip? I can’t offer much in the way of a race tip, but I will say my Uncle always says “If you can’t win, then make the person in front of you PUKE!” Seriously though, I would probably say “Don’t take yourself too seriously. This is supposed to be fun.”
Triathlon literature or other sources of information? I don’t really do a ton of reading so no real tips on Tri books, but I do use certain scriptures that keep me inspired like 2 Tim. 1:7- “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power, love and self discipline”. Heb 12:11- “No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. “
Who inspires you? I would have to say that the #1 person that inspires me is
Jeremy. He’s just a natural athlete and good at whatever he decides to do. The part most inspiring is that he puts his best effort into what he’s doing. I try to be like him when I’m training, but it is hard at times. He makes it look so easy. I always think about him when I want to give up during training and it gives me the grit to go on. I want him to be proud of me, and I want to be a good example for our 13 year old daughter, Mia.
Future goal or bucket list race? I would definitely have to say that my bucket list 70.3 would be Lake Placid but only because I heard there is a chain you can follow during the swim at the bottom of the lake. I’m addicted to the black line so it’s the closest thing to that. Haha!