I was born in Norway on July 15.1969 - five days before Apollo 11 and Neil Armstrong's crew first set human foot on the lunar surface. Funny to think about now, but the look of my head at the time was identical to what it is today; completely bald . I'd like to think that explains my nick name on this side of the pond; "The Bald Eagle"... And perhaps ironically, my journey through life resembles that of an Eagle in many different ways. I like that. As the Eagle soars to new heights, I will strive to do the same - each day providing new and improved perspectives that I hope will make me a better person than the one I was yesterday.

To me, triathlon is more than competing - it's a life style where physical and mental components are constantly balanced- each adding life-long lessons of accomplishment, defeat, friendships and rivalry. But more than anything else, it is a humbling sport where reminders of human strength and weakness are on display for all to see. It's a peaceful, yet aggressive "battle field" where preparation and experience always tend to dictate individual performance. And as a group of individuals we have created a global community of balanced life styles - both on and off the race circuit - where the love for the swim, the bike and the run connects us. That's a really cool thing and who in their right mind wouldn't want to be a part of that? Count me in.

To tell you a little more about who I am and where I am from I guess the most natural place would be to bring you back across the Atlantic to my home town of Grimstad, Norway. This is where I spent the first 18 years of my life. Looking back, it is hard to believe I have now been away from my motherland longer than I lived there. Nevertheless, this is where my roots are, where my broader family lives and where, when my life journey is complete, I will find my resting place. Strangely, I find comfort and a strange sense of solace in knowing I will end up there - alongside my fellow Viking friends and family at Fjære cemetery.

For those who know me well, you know I am a proud Norwegian. Oddly, my pride seems to have grown proportionate with the distance I have put between myself and my motherland in the last 20 years or so. And yes, I still remind myself of being the best ambassador that I can be (wearing my Norwegian/USA flag pin on the lapel of my jacket as often as I can). And even though I have settled for a home away from home in the United States of America, far away from the shores of Grimstad, my heart and soul will always be anchored there. By the same the token, I love my life in the US and all of what this country has given me; the most precious being my little daughter Tuva-Helene Yanli - born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, on October 28, 2004. I love her more than anything...and I am forever grateful to my wife Jean, who blessed me with such a wonderful gift.  Without her love and support, I would not be able to maintain this lifestyle.

My love for endurance sports - cycling in particular - started back in Norway in the mid 1980's. While I always dreamt of becoming a professional cyclist in the early days of my "career", my life turned to academia in 1988 when I left Norway (and cycling) to pursue university studies in Tacoma, Washington, USA. From there, I ended up spending extended time in Singapore, Vienna, Warsaw, London, Los Angeles, New York and finally Washington DC. I have endured many changes along the way - but one thing has always stayed constant; my love for the run and the bike (I didn't really take up swimming until 1997 when I returned to the US). Today, I never go anywhere anymore unless I make sure to pack the running shoes. It's kind of scary to think that I know running routes in capital cities around the world...…

So, although I accept my dreams of life as a "professional athlete" to have passed me by, I have no regrets about my "life journey" so far. Indeed, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I realize now – at 38 years of age – that I am reaping the rewards of a balanced life filled with sports, family and business. And the best thing of all, I'm setting new PR's as a triathlete every season. I cannot wait for my little daughter, Tuva-Helene Yanli to participate in her first triathlon. They say she's got my legs so watch out... those Norwegian/Chinese genes will likely make for a great triathlete down the road.

As for me, it is perhaps true what friend of mine told me recently; "You're like great bottle of California red - getting better and better as you age." Time will tell but I hope he's right. Meanwhile, I’m sure as heck having lots of fun in this sport and I cannot wait for the 2008 season to get started already. See you at the finish line! And remember, it's all about the journey!

In sports,
Espen