Biking is Kirsten's favorite part of triathlon competition.

Kirsten (Winkler) Sass crosses the finish line during Iron Man triathlon competition in France in June 2008.

Although she mainly competes in the U.S., Kirsten also entered Iron Man competition in France in June, 2008, capturing third place in her age division.

She has competed in 15 triathlons this year alone, earning 12 first place wins, one second place, one third place and one fifth place. The first place wins included district, regional and national competitions.

In 13 running competitions this year, she has claimed 9 first place titles, three second place wins, and one seventh place win.

In biking competitions this year, she has claimed three first place, two second place, two fourth place, and one tenth place wins.

Many people find they need to build up the endurance, stamina and strength in their legs in order to tackle running and bicycling aspects of triathlons. Running is the hardest, noted Kirsten, because it is the hardest on your body. Swimming is the most forgiving, but requires upper body strength in order to do well.

Any competitor must start out slow and build up, she noted.

Kirsten, Jeff and Volker typically complete two workouts a day. Up in the morning at 5 a.m., they alternate between swimming at Volker's home, running or biking.

"During the summer, we bike to work and back home in the evenings - rain or shine," she said. "We typically do a variety of workouts. We complete a long workout, and then short but more intense workout. Then you'll get a recovery workout in there somewhere."

"For the Iron Man, one of the longest workouts you do during training is bike 100 miles and then immediately run 6-8 miles," she said.

"Iron Man is a huge commitment - you can't take any short cuts," she added.

USA Triathlon also hosts a national championship in which anyone in the states may participate. In September 2008, the Olympic Distance National Championship competition was held in Portland, Oregon. Kirsten finished 7th Place Overall Female and second place in her age group.

"They awarded a new bike for whoever had the fastest bike time, said Kirsten. "I came in second, losing to first place by just four seconds. I've taken a lot of kidding about that," she laughed.

In mid-October, she competed in 1/2 Iron Man National Championship, held just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, and walked away with the female amateur division championship.

When she is not competing, Kirsten can be found performing her duties as a physician assistant at McKenzie Medical Center, where she has worked with her father since 2005. Kirsten received her Master of Physician's Assistant Degree in the third P.A. class at Bethel College.

"I love my job and the patients are great," she said. "They (McKenzie Medical staff) have been so supportive of my triathlon ambitions."

Also supporting her efforts is her sponsor, Gran Fondo Bike Shop in Nashville, owned by Lynn and Vida Greer. Much to her excitement, they helped out this year with a new Orbea bicycle, a top of the line triathlon bike.

Asked if she had any dreams of someday competing in the Olympics, she only laughed and said she doesn't know about that. Today - she's content to race for fun and hopes to be competing in triathlons for many years to come.

"It is just a challenge and a passion," she said. "It is really nice to have a group. We support each other."