An elementary school teacher at Lillian Berg, in Vermilion Bay, is hoping her story inspires others to try something new or embark on a new adventure.
Vanessa Clarke recently competed in the full Ironman triathlon in Tempe, Arizona.
That’s a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride, finishing with a 26.2-mile marathon.
Athletes have seventeen hours to complete the event and Clarke successfully finished it.
That’s quite the accomplishment considering Clarke signed up for her first triathlon, the Dryden race, only three years ago.
She reminisced by saying “A couple of teachers decided to throw a relay team together a few days before the event. I remember thinking I might not be able to bike 20-kilometres.”
Clarke adds she recalls a time when running for a minute was a challenge.
She says “I am just a normal mother and teacher. If I can do this, almost anyone who sets their mind to it can do it too.”
Clarke accredits her milestone goal to training, a good support network, a daily physical activity initiative with the Keewatin Patricia District School Board, and a local Swim for Life group.
