Meet our April Athlete Spotlight, Şerife Tekin. Şerife is a cheerful member of Team Paragon, and she joined us at the start of 2019. She did her first triathlon last fall, and she was our first female finisher at the Texas Tough Duathlon 5K! We also celebrate that she recently bought a house and got engaged! Şerife is originally from Turkey—check out an article she wrote about moving around and training. We're glad she moved to San Antonio to teach at UTSA!
Age: 39
Occupation: College Professor (Professor of Philosophy and Medical Humanities)
How long have you been swimming, cycling, running, or doing triathlons?
A little over a year now: While I did each of these sports recreationally before then, it is since the January of 2019 that I have been more programmatic about swimming, running and cycling simultaneously with the goal of doing triathlons.
Why do you like endurance sports?
I love how they make me feel: strong, free, and focused. It takes a lot of mental perseverance and discipline to train regularly and I just love having that routine. Also all that suffering (fast!) helps me sleep better!
What is your favorite training or racing event, and why?
I love swimming. It is so challenging yet so peaceful and fun to be in the water, pushing forward.
What is your favorite post-workout or race meal?
Hmm, there are many! I love peanut butter (has to be organic, chunky, unsweetened) and toast or Kodiak Cake protein pancakes! If it is dinner time, a gigantic Mediterranean salad with lots of tomatoes, olive oil, and lemon with a piece of grilled fish or seafood pasta. Don’t forget the wine.
What is one recent accomplishment you are proud of?
I did my first ever sprint triathlon last fall. I had so much fun, as I raced, which I was not expecting, and my overall completion time was pretty good for a first-timer. In personal life, my fiancee and I bought a house recently and I have been doing a superb job of painting it, so proud :)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a scuba diver!
What is something no one knows about you?
I love it when my best friend refers to me as champion—which she started after I did my first triathlon!
Paragon Training - San Antonio Triathlon Team - San Antonio Triathlon Club
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