'Biggest Loser' Tara Costa of Bethpage

THE SPECIAL. "The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?"

WHEN | WHERE. Wednesday at  9 p.m. on NBC/ Ch. 4

REASON TO WATCH. Bethpage's Tara Costa (season 7 second runner-up) returns.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT. Fan favorites like Costa, Abby Rike (season 8), O'Neal Hampton (9), and winners Ali Vincent (5), Danny Cahill (8) and Olivia Ward (11) return to talk about present/past/future.

In a conversation with Costa the other day, she gives us a jump-start:

So, how are you doing?

I am very good. I accomplished a goal, competing in the Ironman World Championships [in October] in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and I did much better than I thought I would -- 13 hours, 56 minutes, 46 seconds . . . I finished just the way I wanted to, with a smile on my face.

You also mentioned you were hit by a car while training!

It wasn't bad . . . it was out on eastern Long Island, in Greenport, in August, and doing one of my last long rides, and [the driver] decided to blow a red light. It was one of those things where you always have to be careful and on alert, and I was wondering if she was going to slow down . . . like anything, you get upset and then learn to get over it.

What is your foundation about?

It's called Inspire Change, and the whole goal was a way for me to give back. I can't help everybody who reaches out to me, but I feel that from the show I have been blessed and I got this amazing opportunity and it's only right for others to change and feel better about themselves. So it's about people embracing the right lifestyles.

What else are you up to?

I'm getting a masters in physical education from Hofstra -- done within the next year and a half -- and it's helped me realize I'm not going back into corporate finance. Also, I'm spokesperson for Ilovekickboxing.com and Anytime Fitness. Kickboxing has a certain kind of energy to it that can't be faked . . . I'm doing weight-loss coaching, too, but I'd really like to get involved with Long Island companies, and say, "Try and get everyone active."

Anything new on the personal front?

I'm still happily single and want to make sure I accomplish my goals before I settle down.

Oh, yes, and inquiring minds want to know . . .

I'm maintaining a weight of 120-125 pounds.