Name: Kelly Dow
Sport: Triathlon
Hometown: Reno, NV
Age Group: 40-44
Number of Years Competing: 1!
B.E.S.T. Coach: Sarah Portella
Racing Career Highlights:
- No real highlights, yet, to speak of since he is new to the game. BUT! He completed 2 Olympic distance races in 2019 (Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe) as well as multiple half-marathons and one full marathon (2015-2108).
Growing up Kelly played ice hockey as child in the Midwest. As an adult he enjoyed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (practicing for the last 7 years) and would even say he is very passionate about it. While he has taken a break from it now in order to pursue triathlon (priorities and obsessions shifting focus!), he knows that he’ll return to Jiu Jitsu at some point in order to earn his black belt.
Several years ago, his wife started running, which motivated him to pick up running as well. One step at a time, Kelly started with 1 mile and eventually worked his way up to 13 miles. That allowed him to reach one of his goals, complete a half-marathon. From there his goals shifted to the marathon, which he successfully completed as well. And then it was time for a new goal and triathlon presented itself to him. Again, his wife was the motivator! She completed a sprint triathlon and inspired him to give it a try. He loves the training because it is different every day and not as monotonous as training for strictly run events. He enjoys seeing his improvement the most in training and wants to get stronger and faster.
Kelly has big goals for his future in triathlon. He would love to complete the Half-ironman distance and then move on to complete an Ironman distance race as well. In the few months of training Kelly is realizing his potential in the sport. While initially some of his goals were just to finish a race, he is realizing that he has goals of being on the podium! “At first, I was just focused on completing the races, but I will admit that nowadays, especially with Sarah’s help, I’d be lying if I didn’t think about being on the podium some day in any distance race. “
While Kelly may think this goal (on the podium) is far-fetched I know he can do it!
When he is not training Kelly works for a global distributor of communications, data and security products, and electronic wire and cable. He has been in the industry for 17 years and loves it, and the fact that it allows him to work from home. In his spare time Kelly and his wife (and their dogs!) spend their time together relaxing at home watching T.V. and movies. When he has the time, he also enjoys Fly Fishing.
Fun Facts:
- Post-Race Treat – Pizza and Ice cream – a classic!
- He has a purple belt in BJJ which he is very proud of. It took him 6 years of blood, sweat and tears to accomplish. At some point he plans to go back for his black belt.
- He is obsessed with triathlon now – to the point that he watches YouTube videos daily on the sport and reads all the triathlon books. He attributes Triathlon to allowing him to be in the best shape of his life.