In this episode we hear from Lauren LeBlanc. Lauren in a Physician Assistant in Cardiology. She is a partner in a single doctor private practice in Michigan. She and her husband currently have 2 active boys Arlo and Fin.
Lauren shares that while in high school she ran track and competed for her school’s swim team. She explains that she rode her bike when recovering from injury to keep her fitness up during track season.
In college she was a member of the rowing team at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. As part of the crew team, she was able to compete in the Henley Royal Regatta in England. Lauren explains that she would connect with one of her teammates and get married several years after graduation.
Lauren explains that after experiencing some success after being introduced to triathlon, she took a break to focus on starting her family. Upon returning to the sport, two years ago, she joined the TriDot training program as part of their yearly pre-season project.
Lauren jumped right into the deep end of the pool and signed up for her first 70.3 race at Ironman Steelhead. Due to the weather the swim was cancelled. Even though Lauren acknowledges the swim is one of her strengths, she shares that she finished in 10th place in her Age Group and was able to claim a rolldown spot for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
Lauren revels that she has already qualified for the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championships with her 4th place Age Group finish in Hanes City, Florida in December of last year. While I know that she has worked very hard for her success, she does acknowledge that she had a great year in 2021.
When asked if she has plans to take in the full distance race, Lauren explains that she and her husband have talked about it but know that the time commitment is more that they are prepared for at this point.
Lauren gives her take on the 70.3 World Championships taking place in St. George, Utah for the 2nd straight year. She acknowledges that New Zealand would have been incredible, but she has plans to take her family this year and the race being in St. George will allow that to happen.
Because she is an ambassador for several triathlon related products and services, I ask Lauren to provide some insight into what that entails. She sums it up as basically being a good person and being helpful to others.
Lauren shares how she is able to fit training into her schedule. We discuss the noise that is created by riding a bike indoors. And I ask her which of the 3 disciplines she had made the most improvement in since returning to the sport.
We spend a few minutes talking about how to reduce the chance of injury. We agree that stretching and focused strength training should not be neglected. I ask Lauren to identify her favorite race. She hasn’t picked a favorite race yet but did say that the Finish Line is her favorite part of the race. We take a few minutes to talk about the weather conditions in St. George this year and I ask Lauren her thoughts on talking to other athletes on course.
Lauren shares that both her boys are showing interest in triathlon. Beside riding their bikes, she has introduced them to treadmill walking, and they have learned to swim already. Since her husband is a cyclist, she has joined him on a few outdoor rides but admits that she refers the safety of her indoor trainer.
After talking bikes, Lauren talks through her race schedule for 2022. She has several races already planned and looking to schedule something else.