Her Story

Because nothing motivates us to stay healthy more than meeting other athletic women who do it all, Her Sports brings you the stories of women just like you. If they can do it, so can you!

Name: Beth Clarke

Sports: Inline speed skating, mountain biking, golf

Age: 42

Occupation: Office administrator

Where I live and play: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Marital status: Divorced and single

Kids: 16-year-old daughter, 14-year-old son

Animals: Who in their right mind has animals when they have kids? At least you can attempt to get the kids to clean up their messes!

First love: Roller skating

Favorite place to be active: The Hamilton, Ontario, waterfront in the summer.

Role model: My mother. She raised four children on her own. She has survived many adversities including a mastectomy, and she is always there for me.

Ideal active weekend: Skating along the waterfront all day and then going out to dinner, and finishing off the night with a few games of pool and dancing. Then, to end the weekend perfectly, playing a game of golf.

Proudest active moment: Winning the Festival de la Sante Marathon in Montreal last year and my first speed skating national championship.

Best training tip: Train where it makes you feel happy and energized. You work harder without realizing it because you get so pumped. For me, that's a nice warm sunny day near the water.

Gear I can't live without: I don't need much equipment. I have my skates (five-wheel frame), my cell phone (for the kids, of course), a drink and some snacks. That's all I need.

Favorite pre-workout/race meal: Two scrambled eggs, a banana and a fruit bar to go.

Sport I'd most like to try: Bicycle road racing. I only have a mountain bike and I love going fast. If I had a road bike it would be so neat to see how fast I could go!

When I'm not training for my races, racing or coaching I'm: Taking my son to soccer practice or out-of-town soccer games, or running my daughter to school or rugby or gymnastics/ cheerleading competitions. I am looking forward to the kids going to university (on scholarships, of course!). I will miss them, but not the taxi service!