Wendy Benson is the longest tenured athlete at AO, having been with since beginning of 2014. Wendy's first interaction w/ Coach Brooks was at a master's class, and coach wasn't sure if she was drowning or not, so he threw her a noodle *just in case*. Looking back at how far she's come and balanced family life has been real enjoyment. Have an read of her Q/A and let us know what you think!
1. What makes triathlon important for you?
I am a late start to Triathlon, and I thought it would be a short term endeavor, but I have found it is a benefit to both my physical and mental health. That health benefit is why I continue, but it is also fun. :-)
2. What makes coaching helpful in your triathlon pursuit?
Brooks helps me stay on track, but also teaches technique. I have learned to be more efficient swimming, learned how to breathe when running, and learned the right motion to pedal my bike. I learned how to eat and drink to allow me to exercise for hours... i had no idea I was even capable of things I have done. Without my coach I would never have accomplished this much. I had no idea of what was possible nor how to accomplish it. I highly recommend using a coach! And I highly recommend Coach Brooks!
3. Looking back at USAT AG Nat's and after your wreck, was there ever any doubt you'd want to continue?
This is a complicated question. At first I did not consider anything else but returning. When I completed that first sprint and realized that I still needed some more PT. That PT improvement went super slowly. During that time I had a lot of days where I kept wondering what wanted to do if I am at the same place at the end of PT as I was when I started. But through it all, I was committed to doing what I could each day and making a decision when the day arrived. I am glad I continued on. I still have a ways to go to get back to where I was in November, but I am stronger have been through it all.
4. What is your proudest triathlon moment?
Finishing the full in Louisville Kentucky. I had to overcome lots of unexpected things on the day. I had to choose mentally choose to overcome, and I was able to rely in the training foundation Brooks helped me to build. It was the most physically challenging thing I've ever done.
5. Biggest lesson you've learned from racing or training?
Physical Fitness is built one day at a time, and overcoming the challenge of it allows you to grow in confidence. When you look back, the transformation is amazing.
6. What's the biggest hurdle you face with training and family and what kind of steps have you made to keep a proper balance and prospective?
This is really a struggle. I try to balance family time with exercising with others, and exercising on my own. My favorite family/exercise choice is to participate with family members, but since most of my family doesn't participate, I do some of my biking on the trainer in my living room, often chatting and watching TV with family. I try to run when family are busy with another tasks of their own (@5:30 am on Tuesdays my family is sleeping, but the AO team is around to run with) Swimming is the one thing I don't move so I can participate in the masters class. It takes good schedule planning and discipline to stick to it. If work goes over, I usually take that out of training time rather than family time, or I try to take half of it out of family time and half out of family time. I believe it is important to ensure I am valuing my family which is most important to me.
1. What makes triathlon important for you?
I am a late start to Triathlon, and I thought it would be a short term endeavor, but I have found it is a benefit to both my physical and mental health. That health benefit is why I continue, but it is also fun. :-)
2. What makes coaching helpful in your triathlon pursuit?
Brooks helps me stay on track, but also teaches technique. I have learned to be more efficient swimming, learned how to breathe when running, and learned the right motion to pedal my bike. I learned how to eat and drink to allow me to exercise for hours... i had no idea I was even capable of things I have done. Without my coach I would never have accomplished this much. I had no idea of what was possible nor how to accomplish it. I highly recommend using a coach! And I highly recommend Coach Brooks!
3. Looking back at USAT AG Nat's and after your wreck, was there ever any doubt you'd want to continue?
This is a complicated question. At first I did not consider anything else but returning. When I completed that first sprint and realized that I still needed some more PT. That PT improvement went super slowly. During that time I had a lot of days where I kept wondering what wanted to do if I am at the same place at the end of PT as I was when I started. But through it all, I was committed to doing what I could each day and making a decision when the day arrived. I am glad I continued on. I still have a ways to go to get back to where I was in November, but I am stronger have been through it all.
4. What is your proudest triathlon moment?
Finishing the full in Louisville Kentucky. I had to overcome lots of unexpected things on the day. I had to choose mentally choose to overcome, and I was able to rely in the training foundation Brooks helped me to build. It was the most physically challenging thing I've ever done.
5. Biggest lesson you've learned from racing or training?
Physical Fitness is built one day at a time, and overcoming the challenge of it allows you to grow in confidence. When you look back, the transformation is amazing.
6. What's the biggest hurdle you face with training and family and what kind of steps have you made to keep a proper balance and prospective?
This is really a struggle. I try to balance family time with exercising with others, and exercising on my own. My favorite family/exercise choice is to participate with family members, but since most of my family doesn't participate, I do some of my biking on the trainer in my living room, often chatting and watching TV with family. I try to run when family are busy with another tasks of their own (@5:30 am on Tuesdays my family is sleeping, but the AO team is around to run with) Swimming is the one thing I don't move so I can participate in the masters class. It takes good schedule planning and discipline to stick to it. If work goes over, I usually take that out of training time rather than family time, or I try to take half of it out of family time and half out of family time. I believe it is important to ensure I am valuing my family which is most important to me.