Congratulations to T3’s January 2019 Athlete of the Month, Alexandra Besso! Alex trains smartly and loves to work hard in pursuit of her athletic goals. In 2018, she pushed through the obstacles in her way and finished her triathlon season with a 31 minute PR at Lake Placid 70.3 on a cold September day. In this off-season, she has been working general fitness and strength as she prepares to start triathlon training for 2019. In 2019, we’ll be watching Alex tackle Ironman Lake Placid!

A:  Alexandra Besso, Saratoga Springs

A:  32

A:  Attorney

A:  2019 will be my fourth season.

A:  This will be my second year working with Carl and T3. We’re the perfect team because I respond well to his lists & graphs and we both enjoy taking a deep dive into all the data out there! Plus, he throws in a pun or two every now and then when writing my tougher workouts!

A:  Anything in Lake Placid, but so far IM Lake Placid 70.3. Lake Placid is the most beautiful and one of the most difficult venues in the country but we’re lucky enough to have it in our backyard. Racing there is always a rush and the crowd and atmosphere can’t be beat!

A:  My Garmin watch. During the training season I wear it all waking hours – it’s like my phone or keys, can’t leave the house without it.

A:  I’ve played competitive team sports my whole life. I like triathlon because it’s a team-individual hybrid where you need the support of your coach and those close to you to be successful but at the end of the day the result is all on you. I completed LP 70.3 this past September, and coming down the finishers’ chute and seeing my family and friends was the best feeling in the world!

A:  This year my goal is Ironman Lake Placid in July. (Okay world – it’s out there and really happening!!) I’m ready to go pedal to the metal and see what I’m capable of. While I have SOS Cape Cod and CT 70.3 thrown in there for training and fun, I really want to work on my running and my power on the bike. Always looking to improve.

A:  To maintain the love that I have for the sport and help those newer learn to love it, too. Triathlon is a way to keep myself accountable, healthy and always gives me something more to work toward.

A:  Ground turkey, cauliflower and Sriracha.

A:  Anything with a loud, hard beat that I can hammer to on the bike or run….otherwise it’s NPR podcasts.

A:  Find what you love about the sport and focus on that. There are some wonderful triathlon clubs and groups to join in our area that are supportive and just really fun!

A:  Always put detailed notes in your training log so Carl doesn’t have to ask for them!

A:  Power intervals on the bike or speed intervals on the track. Nothing more satisfying than emptying the tank and leaving it all out there.

A:  T3 represents everything that triathletes should strive for: hard work, consistency, respect, balance and fun – I’m so proud to be coached by Carl and T3. Cheers to 2019!