Meet Nancy Dasso. She is an amazing 45-49, age-group triathlete from Austin, TX. Nancy is no stranger to endurance events, because completing Ironman Louisville in August will be her third Ironman, and it will give her, her 50th marathon finish!
TS: How many years have you been doing triathlon?
ND: I did my first triathlon at age 19. It was a Bud Light, Olympic distance, in Chicago. It was a great race even though I did it on my sister’s bike. Later I completed a few sprints, before going into the Peace Corps. When I came back to US, I had three kids and got a graduate degree. I focused on running because it was easiest to get out the door and it was a cheap activity as well. I got back into triathlon again a few years back as a way to round out my running.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
ND: Well, I’m a runner first, but I’m always interested in any workout, and I do better when I have a goal. Triathlon provided both workout opportunities and goals to be reached.
TS: What is your best discipline (swim/bike/run)?
ND: Running.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
ND: I’ve done two, and want to do better. Both were adequate, but I think there are things I can improve upon.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
ND: I did it last year and really like the venue. The bike is challenging without being horrible, the run is mostly flat, and I do like the time trial start to the swim.
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
ND: Getting to the swimming pool. Last year I only got in seven swims during July and August. My goal is three per week this year. We’ll see…
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day?
ND: I’d like a good swim. I don’t care too much about the time, but I don’t want to spend too much energy in the water. I’d like to increase my bike pace 1-2 mph over last year. I also had terrible stomach cramps last year, I think from taking coke in the T2 tent, and I would like to avoid having that problem again so that I can run the whole marathon. If I can do that, I think I can go under 12 hours and place well in my age-group.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
ND: Swim – I seem to always be looking for comfortable goggles. If I swim more than seven times leading up to IMLOU, I may be able to work this out before race day. Bike – I just got a new bike, I really like it, but need to make sure I work on the fit. I want to be comfortable enough to maintain the aero position the whole ride. I haven’t been able to do that in my two previous IM’s.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any, inspire you?
ND: Chrissie Wellington, because she always looks like she’s having fun. But I’m truly more inspired by the person who isn’t athletic and has to work hard at it; the person who is also holding down a day job and a family. This is often more inspiring to me than the pros who have all day to train.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
ND: I’d like to do IMAZ, Beach to Battleship, and Vineman.
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
ND: The Big wheel – I’d kill myself on roller skates.
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes inT2?
ND: Losing running shoes. I could bike in running shoes, but I couldn’t run in bike shoes.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
ND: I just want to finish, but I think I like the medal more. It’ll last longer, and a finisher’s t-shirt is not always something that I want to wear. However, my mother did make an awesome quilt for me out of my marathon shirts back in the day when they gave out cotton t-shirts.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman at IMLOU?
ND: I ran a marathon once that blasted Knocking on Heaven’s Door at mile 23. I thought that was wrong. But I like anything to get me moving. Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day is awesome, Born to Run works, and Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty is inspiring as well.
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman?(Given they are not in attendance)
ND: My kids. I’ve been a single, full time mom (their father doesn’t help) since my kids were 2, 6 and 8. They’re now 20, 18 and 13. They are my favorite people in the world, my best friends, and my biggest fans. IMLOU is after they all go back to school, so they’ll be watching me on the Internet all day, and they always get my first call.
Nancy, YOU are inspiring. My ideal time in IMLOU is also a sub-12. If you cross the line in 11:59:58 and I cross the line in 11:59:59, I would be honored. Go get it Nancy!
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