This month we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Charlton.
I have been a member of FMCT since 2013, As a member, I have not only learned a lot about myself and the sport of triathlon, but I have formed life long friendships and gained supportive training partners. My journey began while studying Kinesiology and Health Science at York University when I decided to take up running as a way to stay in shape. At that point, I was lucky if I could run for 5 minutes at a time. Fast forward a few years, to 2008, when I was in teachers college, I decided to run my first marathon. I had never run a race before and this was a big challenge for me and I really had no idea what to expect. I finished my first marathon in 3 hours and 45 minutes and swore I would never do it again (I am sure you can relate). After taking some time off and re-evaluating, I continued running ‘for fun’. In 2009, I got hired by the Peel District School Board where I began teaching Physical Education and coaching the Cross Country and Track and Field teams at my school, and sharing my passion of fitness with the students who I encountered both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities.
My father who is also a former FMCT member and the man responsible for passing on his “crazy gene” to me, has completed 9 ironman distance races. I was first inspired by the grit and determination of my dad and other amazing Ironman athletes while cheering him on at Ironman Lake Placid and Mont Tremblant. I knew then that I wanted to complete an Ironman with my dad before he retired from the sport but had no idea where to begin. In 2013, I completed my first sprint triathlon at Iron Girl Canada in Grimsby. I was immediately hooked and signed up and completed my second Sprint the very next week at the Subaru Orillia Triathlon. I learned that balancing training, teaching, coaching and my personal life was extremely difficult, and I knew that the Ironman was going to be a great feat, so I would require more groundwork and guidance in order to be prepared. A friend of mine and fellow member told me about FMCT and soon after I signed up for swimming and indoor cycling and began training. In 2014, I completed my first Ironman in Mont Tremblant along side my dad. Since then I have completed 2 full ironmans, 3 half ironmans, 2 olympic and 6 sprint triathlons as well as 3 full marathons, 2 half marathons and 4 10km races with 11 podium finishes. These accomplishments and successes would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my family, friends and fellow club members, inspiration from my dad and guidance from Coach Matt.
What does my future hold?
In 2018, I will be competing in the Long Course ITU World Championship in Fyn, Denmark. This will be my first time competing in this distance, my first time swimming in salt water, my first time travelling with my bike by plane and my first time racing outside North America. Although there are so many unknowns, I am excited and proud to represent my country in the sport I love!