A Girl Can Tri

Some sporting events are just intimidating. Marathons, for example, seem to have that effect on people. Likewise, triathlons, despite their shorter distances, can be intimidating because of the three events involved. If that’s how you feel, you might consider getting a team together and starting out with a relay triathlon, like Ali Vincent from The Biggest Loser.

Ali Vincent became the first female winner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser in 2008 by losing 112 pounds on the reality show’s fifth season. Over a year later, she has maintained the weight loss and redefined herself as an athlete. The former hair stylist who was a competitive synchronized swimmer is now studying for her physical trainer certification and participating in relay teams in triathlons, such as the Nautica South Beach Triathlon in Miami in April and the San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island in earlier this month.

Vincent took the swimming leg of the triathlon relay teams in Miami and San Francisco with times of 17:12.5 and 33:07 respectively. At the Nautica South Beach Triathlon, Michelle Aguilar, winner of season 6 of the NBC reality show, did the cycling and Jerry Lisenby, a contestant on season 4, ran for The Biggest Loser “Dream Team”. Relay team “Believe It, Be It” at the San Francisco Triathlon was rounded out by two of Vincent’s fellow contestants from season 5: Brittany Aberle did the cycling leg and Bernie Salazar ran the anchor leg.

In addition to the triathlon relays, Ali Vincent also took part in the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincinnati in May, representing Prevention Magazine and leading a team of walkers to promote fitness. She is in training to compete in a triathlon solo in the Fall. Ali Vincent is a great example that it’s never too late to redefine yourself, to reclaim the athlete within, and to have the courage to get off the couch (or the barstool) where you spend hours watching sports to actually take part in some.

(Photo: Courtesy of NBC)

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