43 - Vicki Muir Cherin

Everyday Ironman Podcast

In the episode we hear from 11 time Ironman Finisher, Vicki Muir Cherin. Vicki is signed up and will be going for finish #12 at Ironman Texas on April 22, 2022. Vicki currently lives in Boca Raton, FL with her husband and they 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren.

Vicki talks through how she got introduced to the sport of triathlon. Because of an injury, she had gained some weight. After the birth of her granddaughter, she found that walker her in the stroller allow her to become more active without pain. Six months and 60lbs lighter Vicki no longer required medication for pain management.

Vicki explains that her original plan was to complete every Ironman race in the upper 48 states. When the Legacy Program was announced she realized that would be a great opportunity to race Kona. She actually lived in Hawaii when she was younger.

When I ask her how she’s feeling coming into IMTX, Vicki says that she is feeling good. Her back is not giving her trouble and she’s been able to get in quality work. She seems particularly satisfied with her bike workouts.

Vicki gives a little history of when she met Jim Ristow. Jim was my guest on episode #3 in July of 2021. I We learn that Jim’s wife Kim, who has been referred to as “the world’s best sherpa,” as taught Vicki’s daughter all that she needs to know and is now Vicki’s sherpa. I announce that Kim has agreed to be a guest on an upcoming episode where I hope to get her to provide insight into how to best assist an athlete during race weekend.

Because Vicki has been on the quest to finish 12 full distance races and qualify to race in “Kona” and because in May 2022 Ironman will hold the World Championships somewhere other than Hawaii for the very first time, I ask Vicki her thoughts. Because of the current uncertainty of if/when the World Championships are actually going to return to Kona and the ongoing concern of her back, she acknowledges that she would welcome the opportunity to race in St. George, UT if invited.

Our conversion gets real when Vicki talks about the recent passing of her mom. Her mom loved Hawaii and Vicki has plans to return there to memorialize her either as part of Ironman or not.

We talk about how small the world can be sometimes. John Lueder, who I met at IMTX in 2018 and was my 1st guest in Episode 1, was with Vicki on course in Santa Rosa a few years back. John provided support to Vicki during the run portion when her back was giving her trouble.

I take the opportunity to provide a little insight and course recon for the IMTX road conditions. The last time Vicki raced in Texas the bike course went through the Sam Houston forest. The Hardy Toll, while relatively flat, has its challenges.

Since part of the Legacy Program requirement is to complete at least one full distance race per year until your “Kona” opportunity is realized, I ask Vicki what race see is targeting after completed her 12th at IMTX. She acknowledges that she and Jim have had that conversation and the plan is to race IMTX in 2022. Which means that when she finishes IMTX in 2022 she will have almost a full year to do something other than triathlon!

I eventually get around to asking Vicki what bike she rides. At the time of the recording, she shares that she is on a “basic” Cervelo P3 that she actually has to “shift the gears.” Since the recording, she has ordered a new Cervelo with Di2 and disc brakes. IMTX is scheduled to be the last race on her P3.

As expected, Vicki shares some insight and wisdom that she’s learned over the years as well as her plan to dye her hair purple to promote Dementia awareness. Vascular Dementia is what Vicki’s mom was diagnosed with before her death.

We wish Vicki and Jim both well as they attempt to finish their 12th full distance Ironman race on May 23, 2022.