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Show •B-17 Thc Park Record. .ECEWBER 27-30, 2IMK Park City fitness trainer was champion bike racer Within a year she took up bicycle racing in earnest. "On a whim I went to a bike race in Ogden and entered as a 'Category' 4* racer, basically a novice," she recalls, ' i got out in front of everybody at the start and rode alone for quite a while. But I was inexperienced and the group gathered me up. I didBy STEVE PHILLIPS n't win but I caught the eye of J.R. Smith, a Record contributing writer bike-racing coach in Salt Lake City, He said I really needed to do this. I credit him with Karen Dodge is very fast on a bicycle - my success as a racer." extremely fast. In 2005 she was a national Dodge joined the Salt Lake-based champion. But you'd never know it to meet Wasatch Women's Cycling Club and began her. Though she's since "retired" from bike training and racing. 'I was already 32 years racing, there beats within this slim, demure old, but I kept getting fitter every year," she thirty-something woman the heart of a fierce says. She was soon racing one step below competitor. professional. "We raced all over the place in The competitive fires are banked for Utah, California and Arizona. We went to now and Dodge has relaxed into a less drathe Nationals and the Hewlett Packard matic role as a Park City working mom. Classic stage race in California. Whether she's coaching clients at her "The funniest story was Pilates studio or out for a leisurely ski or when we raced at the Chums bike ride with friends, her easygoing, Thirty minutes of exerciseis all you Classic in Hurricane, Utah. For down-to-earth personality is refreshing. It's some reason, Genvieve Jcanson a trait that has come in handy for this grassreally need every day, just to clear the and Team Rona showed up to roots, Midwestern woman on her journey this small-town race in southern westward. head." Utah. She's kind of the Lance Dodge was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, one Armstrong of women's bicycle of Carol and Heinz Kalhoffs six children. - Karen Dodge racing. Anyway, we caught a She describes herself as a typical middle • " " • • ™ glimpse of her at the start line child. "People think I'm outgoing, but I'm and them she just took off. I didactually a bit shy/' she confesses. "Still, I During college. Dodge worked part time n't see her again until the finish." think I'm an adaptable, approachable, fun at several wellness centers in the Cincinnati Dodges racing career peaked in 2005 at person." area. "I had one job with the Environmental Deer Valley, where she won the Masters She grew up playing outside with her four Protection Agency teaching wellness and fit- National Criterium Race in her age class. A brothers. She loved soccer, flag football, rid- ness training to their staff," she says. "Believe few days later she placed second at the ing a bike and playing kick-the-can far into me, trying to get a bunch of scientists moti- National Road Race. the night with neighborhood friends. "I have vated to exercise was really a challenge." Sadly, her racing career drew to an abrupt many special memories of laughing with my Dodge tired of college after two halt after that. "I guess I just wanted to focus family," she recalls. "I think the most enter- years and took a job as a flight attendant on other areas of my life," she explains. "I'd taining time was the evening meal, where we with Comair, a Midwestern regional accomplished everything I set out to do and commuter airline. There she met it was time to let it go. Her marriage also her husband, a Comair pilot. She ended as she set out in search of new chalmarried at 23 and within a year had lenges. a son, Jake. For the next several Dodge likes to test herself. "I'm not Favoriterfiingstodo: Ride her bike to the Park Silly Sunday j years she worked as a stay-at-home afraid to try anything new that challenges my Market; attend ffie Park City Film series. |mom. ego or confidence. I'm learning the ropes of vl Favorite foods: Sushi. "I also love Skyline chili ond Graefer's ice ! I got back on a bicycle running a small business, and that's a real cream, but I have to go back to Cincinnatiforthat." when my son was about four years challenge," she admits. She has also competold. I started riding at local charity ed in adventure races, mountain bike and Favorite music/performers: Coldplay, Sting, Oakenfold, Janet events with a few friends," she says. cyclocross races, and four triathlons. She Jackson When her husband took a took second place in the Echo Triathlon. job with Delta Airlines in 2000, the While committed to growing her nascent Animal companion: Gommir, a hefty male calico cat F young family moved to Utah. "We Park City fitness business, Mindful Body settled on Park City because the Pilates, LLC, Dodge has a long list of other Park Q y pet peeve: "We need a larger pool at Ecker Hill with |j town offered us everything we things she wants to do. "I'd like to learn more swimming lanes!" y were looking for in terms of recre- German, Spanish and French and travel the .world," she says. "In my heart. I want . opportunities," she says. Cincinnati native believes fitness is essential to quality of life all listened to the stories of the day, good and bad. I can say I experienced a lifetime of emotions at the dinner table." Dodge excelled in high school sports, especially soccer. She graduated from McAuley High School, a private, all-girl Catholic school in Cincinnati, and went on to the University of Cincinnati. A confessed fitness fanatic, Dodge studied to become a fitness trainer while still in high school. She certified with The American Council of Exercise at age 18. "I loved being fit and I loved teaching classes," says Dodge, who honed her skills as a strength training and Pilates instructor. "I think taking care of your body is essential. Everyone feels better if they get 30 minutes outside or with Pilates or strength training. Thirty minutes is all you really need every day, just to clear the head." Vital Statistics Ice dams like this one can cause expensive home damage. PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN DODGE Karen Dodge, behind, assists one of her clients, Pam Quigley. Dodge is a Pilates instructor and former national bicycling champion. to contribute and help people that really need it. whether it's a personal relationship crisis or a worthy charity or a mission of some kind." But Dodge hasn't completely turned her back on bike racing. She still supports the Park City Iron Man bike racing team, consisting of local and Salt Lake City female racers. "My racing career was fun and I was fortunate to have that opportunity. And who knows, one of these days I might do it again." Steve Phillips is a Park City-based writer and actor. Send your profile comments and suggestions to him at stevep2631@comcast.net. PARK RECORD SUMMIT SUBSCRIBERS Problems with roof ice damage this winter? wow is b greet f;me to upqi<i4e your roof wiili heated roof panels. Energy Efficient Heated Roof Panels Pfoted roofs from damage causedfcyice dams, Kides and retained waier. 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