Athlete Profile – Allison Brody
So, right now I am sitting here wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with thernstatement: “World’s Toughest Athlete.” Having just completed my firstrntriathlon, the half-distance Silverman, I am wearing the T-shirt tornshow off to my co-workers. However, I definitely do not think ofrnmyself as the “World’s Toughest Athlete.”rn
In fact, I’ve run three marathons, but I don’t identify myself as a runner. And I completed a century ride this past May, but I don’t self-identify as a biker.
These are not labels that resonate with me. I do not have any particular skills or abilities when it comes to these pursuits. I am a recreational participant. I don’t compete in these events, I just try to complete them. I will never be fast, I will never place first in my division (unless I’m the only one!), and I will never qualify for Kona.
This is something I do because I have a blast doing it, not because it defines me. It’s just something that I do. I love long runs, I love riding my bike, and (lord help me) I am really trying to love swimming. And I do have some of the characteristics needed to complete these events: commitment, dedication, and a bulldog-like tenacity when it comes to pursuing a goal.
And boy howdy, I definitely needed these qualities training for this triathlon. Putting the time in to do three runs, three bike rides and three swims each week was tough for me – I’m an environmental educator, working 60-70 hours each week, and my schedule includes evening classes and weekend programs.
On top of that, I jumped into the pool for my very first lap swim this past March – I did not know how to swim, and I had borrowed a friend’s “Total Immersion” DVD, brimming with confidence that I’d become a competent swimmer in just a few days. Well . . . . . . After a few weeks of spluttering back and forth, it was apparent that, in fact, swimming was not going to come easy for me. I joined a local training group, which helped quite a bit, and although I was still the slowest one in the pool, at least I felt my endurance was increasing. Then I tried the open-water swim at theTri Club’s Mini-Tri in June. Wow, what a disaster – I was a hyperventilating, side-stroking, wild-eyed mess.
So I went to the lake as often as I could, which wasn’t near often enough, but I started feeling more confident. I picked up a wetsuit off of Craig’s List, and was really excited to put it on for the first time . . . until I got into the water and realized that my wetsuit was trying to kill me. Once again I turned into a hyperventilating, side-stroking, wild-eyed mess. And so I started at square one again. Believe it or not, I did not have a truly relaxed, successful open-water swim until Saturday, November 8, exactly 22 hours before my first triathlon.
Sunday came, I made it through the swim and out of the water, and I had a truly great day. Wow. The volunteers were incredible. The athletes were incredible. Crossing the finish line was incredible.
So, while I may not be the “World’s Toughest Athlete,” I am completely smitten with the sport, and I am looking forward to participating in many more.
Allison Brodyrn
