Kathy Broder could be enjoying her retired years with extra hours of sleep and leisure travel. However, in her 70th year of youth, she would rather be waking up at 5 a.m. to walk onto a cold pool deck and plunge into a pool with her teammates. She prefers to travel with her bike and piles of triathlon gear to compete in triathlons for hours on end. I find Kathy’s daily decision to endure discomfort inspiring, and wanted to find out more about her “why”. Thanks for taking the time to fill us in, Kathy!
Current place of residence: Camarillo, CA
Hometown/place of birth: Los Angeles
Day job: Retired
Dream job: College career counselor
Favorite sports or hobbies (besides triathlon): running, grandma-ing
If you had to remove one leg of the triathlon and swap in a new sport, what would you subtract, and what would you add, and why? My swimming is very sad, so I would dump swim and put in jump roping.
Dream race: Perfect weather, down current swim, hilly bike, downhill run in the shade
Current triathlon/race goal: to survive IM AZ
Why do you want to accomplish this? Not sure…because I spent the money and because I allowed my teammates to badger me into doing a full. (Not really, I just got weak and signed up.)
When/how/why did you start triathlon? In 2008 I was camping in Carpinteria the weekend of the tri. I had never seen one before, and I was hooked. I started the following year…then I signed up for swim lessons.
Favorite accomplishment in sport: Surviving 70.3 Worlds in Chattanooga this year. (Note: Kathy finished 5th at Age Group Worlds!)
Still smiling, and on her way to finishing 5th in the world!
Favorite non-sport accomplishment: Raising 5 fabulous kids.
Hardest race and/or workout you’ve ever completed: St. George 70.3 a few years back. I was so cold that I couldn’t think how to stop racing. It never occurred to me to stop and ask an official…I just kept going through the freezing wind and rain.
Most memorable training race moment: Memorable would have to be getting a flat at 5 miles before the end of the bike at Coeur d’Alene this year.
Best athletic encouragement you’ve ever been given: Just enjoy yourself…I forget that one a lot!
Words of wisdom to someone considering training for their first triathlon: Take it slow and grow into the sport. Buy your equipment after you figure out what you really need.
Something you’ve learned about yourself through triathlon: I’m pretty tough, but I really don’t like to hurt and I don’t push myself into that zone.
What motivates you to keep training and competing? I love the sports and the camaraderie. I look forward to training.
What motivates you when it gets tough during a race? I think of all the money I spent to hurt so bad.
Who inspires you and why? My teammates and all the other racers in the events. It’s amazing what we all do!
Race mantra: For the run, when it gets tough, I count one “e” and a two “e”…up to twenty, then I walk one “e” and a two “e” up to five. (This must be a piano player thing)
Pre-race ritual or superstition: I stress out on the minutia of it all…believe it or not, that’s what calms me down.
Pre-race pump up jams: “White coral bells upon a slender stalk…”
What is the first thing and last thing you do each day? Drink coffee; drink wine
Favorite type of running shoes: Asics
Dream training camp location: Coeur d’Alene
Training “secrets”: I always have a variety of food available
Racing pet peeve: People who arrive late and expect me to move over…not gonna do it.
What does “Fuel” mean to you? Nutrition that varies with length of race
Any favorite recipes to share? I swore off cooking when my last kid left the nest.
What does being “Fit” mean to you? Being in excellent shape
Pick one:
Long swim, long ride or long run? long run
Open water or pool? pool
Trail or track? track
Snot rocket, sleeve, or tissue? sleeve
Solo or group training? either
Chocolate or cheese? both
Watch on your left wrist or right? left
Morning or evening workout? either
Hat or visor? hat
Swim cap or no cap? swim cap
Cheerios or Wheaties? Cheerios
Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? coffee
Any other fun facts about you? Don’t get me started on my newest grandson…he calls me blam-ma (I think.) Cutest kid ever!
On her way to an age group WIN at Santa Cruz 70.3