Naeth Back on Track

The crisp cool air of an October morning made Angela Naeth feel right at home.

As guest coach for a group of aspiring triathletes gathered for the free session at Masich Place Stadium, Naeth was sharing the wealth of her knowledge of what it takes to run, bike and swim faster.

As much as she’d like to remain a California girl and take advantage of a year-round climate for training, she came home to pay the bills after a leg injury curtailed plans to cash in on the World Triathlon Corporation 70.3 professional circuit.

Coming off a breakout season in 2008, her first year as a pro, with several top-10 finishes and an eighth-place result in the 70.3 Ironman world championship, Naeth thought her career was about to skyrocket.

Triathlete magazine wanted her for a cover story. Sponsors were lining up to suit her up with gear. She was the obvious choice for The Citizen’s athlete-of-the-year award in 2008.

Her troubles started in the Philippines. Picked up by Team TBB, a professional triathlon team, she left her home in Sovang, Calif., and headed south last winter for a two-month stint to train with coach Brett Sutton. Within a few weeks, the pace of running three times a day began to take a toll. Naeth tried to keep up, but it was too much of a jump from what she was used to. By then the damage was done...

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