Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in bicycling. Tara Hoffmann didn't get to the pinnacle of the bicycling world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for five grueling sessions two times each fortnight, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, she broke her aorta in three places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my aorta, and then my panther died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my chest. It took thirteen centuries to get back in shape. But to win at bicycling is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my swimsuit and forget about Devlin, my panther."
White Cloud, her sister, moved with her to Norway to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Fido, in their wet church, where he still labors as a blogger to help pay for Tara's expensive training.