Gail Leveque, W50-54

dallas, texas

How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? Since ’96……a long time.

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? Gatorade Endurance Formula, CarbBOOM and the undying love and attention provided by TriSports staff members.

How did you get your start in Triathlons? Swim team mom who got tired of sitting in the bleachers and finally learned to swim……….I was no better at bike and run, although they were much less intimidating to this late-in-life-athlete. My first race was the TinfoilMan and I finished dead in the middle of the pack, but I loved it and there was no stopping me after that.

What is your favorite workout? I’ll take a negative split bike or run over almost anything else. Love them!

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” Reading, baking, volunteering at races, a good glass of red wine, reruns of House

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? Bob Seebohar…..he’s my coach and we’ve always worked remotely. Would be great to actually spend some time in the same place

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do? I want to do them all! With unlimited funding, I might actually try to! So many races, so little money!

Describe your biggest race disaster. World’s Toughest Half ’05. My bike, a beloved Kestrel KM40 w/race wheels on, got stolen 7 hours before I was supposed to catch a flight to Sacramento. I managed to procure a low-end……really low end…….loaner (complete w/STI shifting which I had NEVER used) 2 hours before flight. I got myself on the plane, despite much crying and whining to coach who said “find a bike and go to that race”, and when I got to CA, discovered that some critical piece of the lowest end Campy group that was on the bike, had been damaged irreparably. More weeping to coach ensued, but verdict was the same, so a friend and I spent the day before the race searching bike shops all over before finding someone in a hole-in-the-wall shop who had the same stuff on her old beater. She loaned me the part! They got the bike working and that was that. Never even rode it before the start of the race. The American River was above flood stage so the swim was cancelled and replaced with a two mile run. That was ok, but the borrowed bike was a little less than ideal. My “position” was so bad that I actually slowed down when I dropped onto the clip-ons into “aero” position on the downhills. I did learn how to manage the STI stuff pretty quick, but that Auburn course is pretty tough even when you know how to ride the bike you are on. The only thing that kept me going up the hills was the thought of heaving that bike over the cliff on the side of the road. Needless to say, after riding in bad position for over 3 hours, my legs were not really in the mood for the toughest run course I have ever seen. I felt slightly better when I saw Nicole DeBoom walking. Despite the comedy of errors, I hung in, finished, won my AG and found out that I was tougher than I ever imagined.

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? Buddha, Buddha, Buddha!

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)?  Cheeseburger, onion rings, chocolate shake

Have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear? (For example, have you driven into the garage with a bike on the roof, run over race wheels, etc.) Not yet, although the baggage monkeys at Southwest Airlines have done a pretty good job of destroying my bike box.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Refrigerator magnet maker

What adjective describes you best? Passionate, although my son says I’m fierce.

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition?  Start small, be patient and shoot for sustainable growth in the sport. Triathlon rewards consistency, dedication and determination more than any other sport. Make your main goal to end up a lifelong athlete…..regardless of your race resume.

Race Results: Memphis in May - 1st W50-54; Deuce's Wild Olympic - 1st W50-54; July 19, 2009 Disco Olympic Triathlon, TX – 2:21:47, 7^th O/A Female, Overall Grandmaster; July 4, 2009 Coronado Independence Day 15K , CA – 1:11:57, 2nd W50-54