Triathlete Mackenzie Madison

2011-Summer-Oregon-Willamette-Valley-Eugene-professional-triathlete-Mackenzie-Madison-photosoot-2-cropped
Name  Mackenzie Madison
DOB    August 10, 1986
Hometown Ankeny, Iowa
Lives in Eugene, Oregon
Sport    Professional triathlete

 


 

 When did you begin competing?

When I was 13, I was mostly a runner. At Iowa State College, I ran track
(3k, 5k ,10k) and cross country. I came to Eugene in 2008 and 2009 for
a masters in exercise physiology. I took up road biking and started racing.
I wanted to try something different.

Why triathlons?

The nice thing about triathlons—everyone’s welcome. They want all
shapes and sizes. The pros race right along side everyone else, there’s
no separation. It’s one of the rare sports where the pros and amateurs
race side by side.

What was your best race?

Ironman Canada August 29th, 2010. I decided to do it on a whim a
month and a half before. It was the end of my season, and I thought
I’d give it a try. The scenery of the race was amazing. I had an amazing
swim (15th) and bike (10th), and on the run, I ended up inching up on
the professional field. In my first Ironman, I finished third. I discovered
more about myself, and that set the tone for the rest of my career.

What about your toughest race?

Ironman Arizona (November 2010) was one of the toughest with
one of the most elite fields of women. It was basically Kona Ironman
World Championships take two. The bike leg was super windy. The
run course was flat and on concrete. It was jarring on my body. There
was wind and hail—very uncharacteristic weather for Arizona. It was
a day when you know that you don’t have it all there and you still
have to do an Ironman.

Do you have any advice for amateurs training?

Don’t do anything too fast and try to prepare yourself as much
as you can. If you want to have an enjoyable time, get all of the
basics dialed in. Make sure that your first triathlon is one that
you’ll enjoy.

Other interests?

Traveling, skiing, anything outdoors, wine-tasting and reading
about new research in my field.

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