For more than four years Ohio State student Clare Fisher has been making her mark nationally and internationally competing in triathlons and duathlons.Fisher, a graduating senior in recreation education, is ranked second nationally in duathlons and 19th in triathlons in the 20 to 24-year-old age group. In July, Fisher won her first overall race claiming the Kentucky State Triathlon Championship.’I really didn’t have any intention of winning, but I biked really well that day,’ Fisher said. ‘Biking is my strongest aspect of competition.’ She has represented the United States for the last four years at the international level at the World Duathlon Championships. She placed fourth at the championships last September in Ferrara, Italy. Fisher got her first taste of triathlons competing at the Wendy’s International Triathlon in 1991. ‘All of the sudden I was addicted to this sport and the feeling of accomplishment when I finish,’ she said. ‘It’s a healthy addiction and when I do well, it just pushes me harder and harder.’ Fisher has no coach to monitor her training; she depends on her own dedication to push her. With the support of family, fellow triathletes and this year, members of the OSU Bike Team she continues to train hard every day.Sandy Brletich, a senior at OSU, said, ‘Clare trains very hard every week no matter when a race is taking place.’ ‘She is very dedicated to her training and works very hard,’ she said. Fisher’s training consists of running 30 to 35 miles a week, biking 120 miles and swimming twice a week. She admits that swimming is her weakest event.’I try to run or bike every day,’ Fisher said. ‘My strategy is to just get through the swim and then bike as hard as I can and get ahead far enough so they can’t catch up on the run.’ Fisher is on both the OSU and Central Ohio Triathlon teams.In addition, she is a certified massage therapist and is in charge of the weight training program for OSU cyclists. Fisher has traveled to Italy, Mexico and Australia during the past four years to compete in triathlons and duathlons.Although some of her expenses are paid by sponsors, such as Powerbar and bike manufacturer Kestrel, she pays most of her expenses herself, she said. The only drawback of being so active with the duathlons and triathlons is finding a balance with school, training and a healthy social life, Fisher said.’I try to keep a balanced life, so that nothing suffers, and this can sometimes be a struggle, but I usually do the best I can,’ she said.Fisher hopes to one day compete in the Ironman, held in Hawaii, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and running a marathon, 26.2 miles.’I’ll probably try it (the Ironman) in a few years, but right now I have my hands full,’ she said.