Super triathlete moms (chapter 1)

During the next weeks in Triathlon News we will meet more than 20 triathlete moms, not only from Spain but also from several countries in Latin America.

 

All of them have been practicing triathlon for several years, combining it with their work and family life. We will meet women who compete as GGEE for the simple fact of meeting personal challenges and finishing competitions. There are also several girls who have raced in IM 70.3 worlds or have been finishers in Kona, getting podium in some cases. And in the last chapter we will meet some triathletes moms compete at PRO level in IM or elite in ITU.

The interviews consist of a small presentation of them, their beginnings in triathlon, their favorite competitions, how they combine training and competitions with family and work. And finally we will give some advice for others who are starting or want to start in triathlon.

This is our peculiar tribute to all the "Moms triathletes", we hope you like the readers and readers of the web.

 

MAGDALENA ZINGONI (ARGENTINA)

 

Magdalena Zingoni, 42 years, Agricultural Production Engineer. Lives in Victoria, Entre Ríos, Argentina. It has 3 children of 15 13 and 11 years.

My beginnings were progressive, now I have 9 as media and an infinity of shorts and olympics. Duas and Trias. I have been running for 11 for years.

My days are never equal to each other and sometimes there are times of the year that complicate me a lot because of the work. The key is to have a plan and be organized. I let my coach think for me the training, I just follow him. Now I train at night or at 6 in the afternoon, or rather early in the morning, during the day between work and activities of the children it is impossible,

I'm proud of all the competitions I've done, but I guess the last two Pucons in Chile, and the IM 70.3 World Championship in Austria.

Change the races of La Paz every year mean a lot to me because I go with my children who run too, and it's very fun. La Paz without a doubt is one of my favorites and the middle of Concordia.

To the mothers who start above all I tell them that you do not have to lower your arms, and that if one day a child gets sick or just gets complicated, well do not try to leave "at all costs", simply that day is not for training ... Sometimes wanting to do everything is worse than doing nothing and that balance is a good as appreciated as scarce. But IF IT CAN. And that sport is as important in our lives as it is work or family, accept and understand that is key to doing well, leave the blame aside and above all enjoy it.

 

NATALIA QUESADA (COSTA RICA)

Natalia Quesada Vargas, 41 years. Doctor. Lives in Heredia, Costa Rica. It has 4 children of 15, 13, 11 and 9 years.

My beginnings in triathlon were like an evolution of moments that became opportunities and then were summarized in the Triathlon. In my adolescence I had a significant increase in weight, so, along with a nutritional regimen, I started running. I kept running for aesthetics and health during my last years of school and during my studies in medical school.

During my social service, at the age of 25 years, I started swimming a little. The 26 years I married and I went with my husband to live in France, I kept running alone, but very little, because during the following 8 years I had my 4 children. I could practice my profession in 4 years until I realized I was not willing to sacrifice the time my children for my professional ambition, and with the support of my husband, stop working and dedicated myself to be a mom. This left my mornings free, while they were at school, then gradually I went from just running to swimming too. I even started competing in swimming at the master level and competing in competitions of 10 kilometers on Sundays .... Little by little I increased the distances and quickly I was doing half marathons and then I did 2 marathons. For that moment, a coach suggested adding the bicycle ... And so I became a triathlete. I've been competing in triathlon for 7 for years!

A typical day for me during the competition period:

I get up 4: 30 am and I'm at 5am in the pool. I'm back at my house at 6: 45am, I quickly give corroborating that my children have everything for school, and I take them to 7. 8am: Start my second training session. 11 to 1: 30pm: I do some chores and errands from home.

Twice a week I go to my husband's clinic to assist in the administration. 2: 30pm: I pick up my children at school, I take them to their workouts: Tennis and Gymnastics. I finish doing the "driver" at 9pm, when my daughter finishes her gymnastics training on the other side of the city. Between the time she lasts having dinner, I assure myself that the tasks of others are done and everything is ready for the next day .... I'm going to sleep at the 10: 30pm ... Logically, when the competition period is over, I take the opportunity to sleep a little more!

My most outstanding result: Ironman Cozumel 70.3 in the 2014 year !!! The universe conspired to win the first place in my category and with it I will qualify for the 70.3 World Championship in Austria 2015. However, there are two races Ironman distance 140.6 of which I am very proud, not by the timer, but his difficulty: Ironman Louisville, Kentucky when performed in the month of August and the first edition of Ironman Los Cabos ....

My favorite riatillo: I can not say just one! The natural beauty and friendliness of the people in Cozumel, the one in Boulder, Colorado where you can breathe triathlon, Zell Am See in Austria with a spectacular scenery and swimming in the cleanest lake you've ever met!

My advice to other moms who want to start:

First of all: A lot of organization !!! Define in a realistic way how much time you have to train, and according to that, choose the distance in which you will compete. Regardless of the distance that will be your goal, the start is better to be gradual: Dominating from sprint distance, Olympic and then to the 70.3. When you decide for an Ironman 140.6, who has already matured this sport well and that your family can support it for at least 4 months of strong dedication!

Try to involve your husband to perform this sport together, or at least be accompanied in some workouts. Enjoy first of all !!!!

 

INÉS HERNÁNDEZ (SPAIN)

 

Inés Hernández, 52 years, businesswoman Lives in Tenerife and has 1 daughter with 29 years.

My relationship with the Tri is almost exclusive with Ironman Lanzarote My first Tri was the IM LZ in 2010 and from that moment I did not miss the appointment.

A typical day ...... I get up at the 05: 00 to do a swim session, work, and in the afternoon I usually double. The weekends full time.

Without a doubt my favorite triathlon is the IM Lanzarote (practically the only thing that I have done), last year 2014 was 4ª of my GE.

The main advice I give is ... get up early because that way you always make sure you do something. While everyone sleeps you train.

 

CARLOTA MATTOS (PANAMA)

Carlota Mattos Alvarado, 50 years, I live in Panama City, Republic of Panama, I have an (1) son who has 15 years.

My beginnings in triathlon are through cycling. I am a cyclist by nature and by definition. I'm passionate about cycling. That led me to think about triathlon. I started the triathlon motivated by many friends but mainly by my son, who in fact started competing before me. I did not know how to swim and I wanted to show you that one achieves everything that is proposed and that the limits are mental. So I began to accompany him in his events and support him in all his dreams. For my son start a nice friendship that a super triathlete: Lotty Harari.

Two years ago I went to the 70.3 in Miami to see the beautiful Frida Harari, daughter of my friend Lotty, compete. He had seen many competitions and in fact had participated in triathlons per team; but the experience of Ironman Miami and the energy that covered the place finished pushing me into this swirl of passions that call it triathlon.

My alarm clock sounds like the 3: 30am. I turn it off and I thank God for one more day of life and the great opportunity it gives me to be a better person. I do my prayers and jump out of bed to get ready and start my training. According to what the form indicates, I make my plans from the previous day. Cycling and athletics are done at dawn, occupying 3 hours and a half and swimming for the afternoon if it does not rain. Finishing the training, I am ready to go to work until 6pm, which is the time to swim and then go home to see my son, homework, dinner and others.

My outstanding result was the time I did on the bike in my first 70.3 in Cozumel. I had already done triathlons in Panama but that was my first experience in the Ironman brand individually. As for the competition that I can feel proud of, it is a trophy that wins in an individual time trial (CRI).

Cozumel is without a doubt my favorite competition. Beautiful swimming, bike tour is very nice with some false planes (only the wind can displease you). The bullfight I think is the most difficult because it is close to the sea and that, in my case, dehydrates me a lot. Yes, the Ironman of Panama is very beautiful and a great challenge. Our climate is tropical with a very high humidity which makes this event a challenge for any athlete.

My first advice is to organize ... You can do everything if you are well organized .. Of course, they will have to sacrifice some things but everything is to be proposed. Important to seek guidance with specialist trainers and not get carried away by what they see other people doing since all bodies are not the same and everyone does not do the same thing. Seek help from a professional. For many it is better to train with a team because it serves them as an incentive and for others to train alone, as they are focused on their work. But most important of all is that they enjoy what they do. That is the key to success.

 

ERIKA SEGALE (ECUADOR)

Erika Segale 42 years, Personal Trainer - Life Coach. I live in Ecuador in the city of Guayaquil, I have 2 children, the May has 12 years is called Emilio and the youngest has 7 years is called Elías.

I am a sportsman since childhood and started in triathlon 3 years ago, a friend told me I had to prove physical and get started in triathlon and I love good since I started I have not stopped hehe. At the beginning I thought it was not for me because in the first transitions of bike to trot seemed my grandmother trotting hahaha.

My days are crazy haha ​​but I chose my life like that and I enjoy it. I get up at the 5am .. Breakfast and my first class that I dictate is to the 6am and from there I dictate until the 3pm the last class ... Then at home to do the role of mom check duties or take them to soccer classes etc and in the night I train swimming, or jog what I touch. So 3 times a week the other 2 days are dedicated more to train bike or office and Mom. I have a gym so that is my 3er son ... Being an entrepreneur is fun but a lot of responsibility I am also in charge of the whole Physical area and training plans of the partners.

About my results I think that each competition is an achievement and learning that allows me to grow as a human being and athlete. Galápagos I have made podium 2 times winning in my category in Olympic distance this year 2015 in October. And I stayed 5ta in the Ironman 70.3 Ecuador in August of this year in my ggee.

My favorite triathlon is in the Galapagos Islands, it is a magical place, a lot of nature, a unique and wonderful environment. Swim with sharks, going on cycling route 5 microclimates from sun to fog, rain is something crazy and go back to sun is magical and you end up running in the village with all the local people doing bar. very exciting. I recommend 100 to 1

My recommendation for other triathlon moms who start in triathlon, tell them that life is one and that we have to do what we like, we are a perfect machine that must move, it is a matter of organizing and giving time for one.

When we are doing what we like we are happy and so we stay healthy and can continue with the different roles that women in this society, mothers, wives, friends, businesswomen, sisters, daughters, teachers, better said TODOLOGAS hahaha ... my energies and my creativity comes out when I train ... My passion for sport goes beyond my reason

Juan José Martí Navío @jjnavio