(It's hard work) catching up with Diana Hassel  > report filed October 10, 2003 by Amy White Diana Hassel, an age-grouper from Davis, Calif., has shown steady improvement since entering the world of triathlon just three years ago, and she has her sights set on turning pro early next year. In between, she will try to repeat as age-group champion at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Her finish time last year was 10:17:48. She won the women's 30-34 age group on her third try. The previous two years, she was third. On her very first try at Kona, in 2000, she recorded a 10:31:46. Since then, she has showed marked improvement and has a goal of breaking the age-group record this year. She attributes much of her success to her main sponsor, Platinum Performance. In her "real" life, Hassel is a veterinarian, is working on her PhD in comparative pathology, and is president of Steve Larsen's Wheelworks Mad Cows, a triathlon club in Davis. The Triathlon Informer caught up with the very busy Diana Hassel recently: Triathlon Informer: Please describe a typical day for you. Diana Hassel: I have a fantastic job as an emergency equine surgeon that requires me to work on call at night but opens up my days for training and working on my PhD dissertation. Most days I try to squeeze in two shorter training sessions (1-2 hrs each) and I leave the long rides/runs for the weekends. In between workouts, I sit at the computer working on research and responding to e-mails (as the president of the Mad Cows, my e-mail inbox stays quite active). TI: How do you find time for the triathlon training required? DH: Finding time to complete the training is challenging at times, particularly when the horses don't cooperate and I pull too many all-nighters at the clinic. In general, as long as the motivation is there and my work time remains focused, I'm able to fit in all of the training I need. TI: What motivates you to do well in triathlon? DH: I have always thrived on challenges whether they be work and school-related, or physical challenges. Ironman triathlon provides the ultimate physical challenge for me and I always feel like there is more to learn and more potential for improvement. The knowledge that I have the potential to continue to improve provides all the motivation I need. TI: What is your fondest triathlon memory? DH: My first Ironman Hawaii triathlon in 2000 is by far the most spectacular experience I have ever had in triathlon. It was my first Ironman (and my first time running more than 21 miles!) and I was so ecstatic to be there and be a part of the Kona experience. The entire week was almost a dream come true for me and to place 3rd in my age group that year was just icing on the cake! TI: How many years have you been competing in Hawaii? DH: 2003 will be 4 in a row for me. I'm hooked and hope to return every year for many years to come. TI: What do you think of the course changes in Kona this year? Will they make a difference in the way you race? DH: I think the changes are fantastic and will make the race a bit more spectator friendly. I love the idea of having a single transition area at the King K. The changes shouldn't alter my race plan other than I'll need to secure my GU flask better for the return descent down the not-so-smooth Kuakini Hwy. TI: Who do you think will win the pro races this year? DH: You can't go wrong betting on Natasha again for the win, but I would love to see the lead change hands a bit just to make it a bit more exciting. There is a lot of new talent out there that might bring some surprises. For the men, I bet it will be a much closer race this year with people like Macca, Cameron Brown and Steve Larsen...who I have a feeling will be running a bit faster this year. I would still never bet against Tim though...Hawaii is his main focus and that's why he wins. TI: Are you thinking of turning pro yourself? DH: Yes...I got a bit of a late start, but I think I'll give it a try after Hawaii. I don't think my training will change and my job certainly won't (I love my job), but it would be fun to earn back the plane fare once in a while. TI: Who is an inspiration to you, in triathlon and in life in general? DH: Getting starting in triathlon, my friend Beth (Zinkand) Michel was always my greatest inspiration. I went to Hawaii in 1999 to watch her race and I knew then that I had to race in Hawaii in 2000 (even though I had only done a handful of Olympic distance tris at that time). She was always so positive and encouraging and I always got a killer workout in if I rode with her. In life, my family inspires me the most. It's so great having family members come out to cheer me on in Hawaii year after year. My brother even took up marathoning after watching me race in Hawaii last year!