Name: Beth Sanders
Age: 47
Occupation: Lactation Consultant during the day and high school cross country and track coach in the evenings.
Years doing triathlon? My first triathlon was in 2008, a sprint in Charlotte, and I swore I’d never do one again (that swim! Yikes!). I was happy with accomplishing a triathlon before turning 40, and happy to stop there. But after watching the Kiawah tri from the sidelines every year, I decided to learn to swim and get back in the game. Eight years after my first tri, I did my second, the Kiawah triathlon in 2016. So, not counting that dreadful sprint in ’08, I have been doing triathlons for 3 years.
First Triathlon? She Rocks Sprint Tri, Charlotte 2008. First triathlon that the lifeguards didn’t pity clap for me… Kiawah Triathlon 2016.
Your favorite triathlon? Chattanooga 70.3, 2018
Meal the night before race? Baked or grilled chicken, sweet potato, water
Pre-Race Meal? Oatmeal with salt, a little sugar, half a banana, and walnuts. One cup of coffee.
Race Nutrition? NBS breakthrough nutrition in my water bottles, gels and fig newtons, and salt tabs.
Favorite motivational training song? I don’t usually listen to music while training, but if I do, I turn to Guns N Roses.
Favorite mantra? There will be a day that I can no longer do this… and today is not that day.
Key Workout? Brick workouts are key to getting the legs ready for a tri. I actually enjoy running after biking, because my legs are warmed up and ready to run.
Best Triathlon training or racing tip? Enjoy the day. Even when it is hard, embrace the suck. And be grateful. We ask a lot of our bodies out there on the course, and a little gratitude can get you through some rough miles.
Triathlon literature or other sources of information? Runner’s World and USA Triathlon magazine, stuff that is posted on the TTT Facebook page.
Who inspires you? My dad, Steve Fulmer, inspires me. He was an amazing person, full of energy. He was loud and funny and extraordinarily kind. As I watched Parkinson’s Disease steal his body, I became more determined to stay strong for as long as possible.
Future goal or bucket list race? I would love to complete a full iron man in a few years.