Meet Sandy MacDonald (@macdonald1646)!
Q: When did you start Triathlon? What drew you into the sport?
A: I did my first “Try a Tri” in 2014 – at age 66 after a clinic with Laura Englund. I grew up swimming and I had been running seriously for six years. Then, there was my son Richard and wife Megan who were really into Triathlon at the time. While swimming and running prepared me, Richard and Megan lit a spark in me….so I had the help and encouragement of family to give triathlon a try!
Q: What are some successes you’ve had recently?
A: I have done 18 triathlons in 9 years (so I guess that is an average of 2 per year). Because of my age group, as long as I finished the race, I placed. I qualified for the World Championships in Edmonton at Echo for the Olympic distance in 2021 and did it! All my races were successes because I finished them.
Q: How has Triathlon impacted your life and well-being?
A: Triathlon has taught me so much about perseverance, dealing with the unexpected and realizing I feel best when I am active and outdoors. Also, how important training and having fun is to feeling good at the end of a race. I am so much more confident and proud of myself because of triathlon.
Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
A: First, above all, is get excited for this new goal ( “a goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot” ). Get good coaching and support, sign up for a short race to start and learn something from each race. Also, don’t get too serious or stressed about it all. If I can do this, anyone can.
Q: Is there anyone you would like to thank?
A: I would like to thank Richard and Megan for all their encouragement and support and lighting the spark in me to try Triathlon. After 4 years of having Richard prepare my run training schedules, Patrick and Jen of Endurance Journey took over my coaching and I could not have succeeded without them all. I would not have continued on without the support of my family, friends and this amazing running/triathlon community.
To hear Sandy’s story in person, click here to register for our next Member Monday on December 11th where Sandy will share her story.
#trisask #womenintriathlon #sasksport #membermonday #triathlontraining #womenspanel
