Alessandra C., Miami, FL
Five years ago I decided to train for triathlons. Little did I know that it would become a life style. It all started when I saw a friend of mine racing in Clermont. While we were waiting for him, we saw many athletes and “ordinary” people crossing the finish line… and all of them, with a big smile of accomplishment. But how, I kept asking myself, will I ever be able to swim that MUCH if I had never, ever, taking any swimming classes? And how on earth, should I started? I had so many questions and no one to answer them.
Then came TEAM in Training; their proposal: to prepare you for an endurance event (in my case, an Olympic Distance triathlon) and in exchange, I would have to fundraise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. WONDERFUL! I thought, because it was the perfect combination: achieve my goal and help a very good cause.
So, to make a long story short, on June 12, 2005, I crossed the finish line in Maui, Hawaii and complete my first Olympic Distance triathlon. Not only that, I found out that I could be fairly good at it – I was 5th in my age group and 13th overall female. Since then, I’ve completed many Sprints, Olympic Distances and one half Ironman. I also finished a couple of half marathons and a full marathon in San Francisco, again with TEAM in training and a very emotional race (the picture is the prove of my “torture”, don’t be fool by the smile on my face
).
And last but not least, I met very good friends along the way, that kept me going when I feel demotivated. I just hope I’ll be there for them as well, helping them achieve their goals.
My name is Alessandra Castanho and I’m a triathlete.
Alessandra Castanho. Nike Women's Marathon, San Francisco Oct'07.
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