Featured Athlete – John Brazelton

John Brazelton, 42

Tell us a little bit about you:
Married to Karen for 15 years; 2 daughters (Jillian, 11 and Kirsten, 5)
Profession:
Chemistry teacher, Newport Harbor High School
Hobbies:
Tropical reef aquarium keeping, cooking, eating
Athletic Background:
Cross Country/Track at Santa Barbara High School (class of 1986), then UC Irvine (graduated 1990), many triathlons & duathlons ever since
Other: Winner, SB Tri 1993. Finished SB Tri 12 times, always top 10 overall, 1x 1st, 2nd at least 3x. Personal Best time of 2:49:11 (2001, 3rd place Overall).
Other: 8/22/09, 7am (same time as SB Tri race start!) Was in Hoag Hospital ER, getting diagnosed with Testicular Cancer (Seminoma, Stage 2C, w/ 7+cm tumor in lower abdomen); 8/23/09 Right inguinal orchiectomy (surgical removal of right testicle); 8/31/09 Started chemotherapy; 6/4/10 (my 42nd birthday!) Most recent PET/CT scan showed I am CANCER FREE!

When did you complete your first triathlon (and if you’ve completed more than one, how many)?
1st triathlon: October, 1989. Since then have completed lots! Probably pushing 100.

What inspires you to train/compete?
To consistently challenge myself and find out how fast I can go.
Knowing that I am extremely fortunate to have the ability to swim/bike/run, so I had better take advantage of it!

What is your favorite thing about the sport?
The satisfaction of knowing I put it all out on the course.

What’s your least favorite thing?
Early morning wakeup for races and training, especially now (post-chemo) as I really tend to fall apart quickly if I don't have enough rest.

What is the best advice you ever received regarding the sport of triathlon?
Don't take it too seriously. Being a great ___________ (parent/spouse/teacher etc) is much more important than being a great triathlete.

Share your top three (or one, or ten) training tips:
Be consistent.
As much as you push your body on your hard days, you should rest just as intensely on your easy days!
Listen to your body- if you aren't firing on all cylinders, your body is trying to tell you something!

How do you stay motivated?
See "What inspires me"

How has training for or participating in triathlon(s) affected other areas of your life?
I learned that patience, tenacity and determination can be improved through training and practice. These virtues can be applied in many endeavors besides athletics.
Most recently, the mental skills I developed over 20+ years of endurance sports were critical in allowing me to persevere through my cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Any words of encouragement for novice or aspiring triathletes?
Commit to a goal. If you set your mind to it, you can do it. Remember to enjoy everything about the journey- the daily training sessions, the nervousness before the start, the challenges on the course, the joy and relief of the finish line…
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Do you have a post-triathlon indulgence?
Eat whatever my body is craving, usually involves a good burger and ice cream (not at the same time!)