GNOTRI member, Maria Martinez of New Orleans has qualified for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship set for Oct. 15, 2005 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii with a time of 10hr. 26 mins.

My source of motivation is my enthusiasm for learning and my passion for people. I started competing in triathlons at first to socialize. Someone suggested that I try the half-Ironman distance. On my first attempt I could not complete the swim and had to withdraw from the race. But I still believed that anyone could do the distance if they really wanted it. The one thing you need is will- and will I have plenty of. I just needed to find a way to channel that will into positive results. If you do your best in preparation, training and execution, you should be satisfied in whatever the results may be. (continued...)