1. Tell us a little about yourself.
What does life look like outside of training, and what drew you to endurance sports?

I’m an intellectual property attorney (“big law” firm partner). I love to read, learn, eat, and partake of adult beverages. I married to a software engineer. We like to cook, have a large wine collection, and probably watch entirely too much TV.

2. Where did your journey begin?
Think back to when you started. What were you hoping for, and what felt challenging or unfamiliar?

Back in 2018, I wanted to do something big for my 40th birthday. I was training for the SF marathon and wanted a bigger goal - so I set my sights towards a 70.3 to celebrate turning 40. My goals were always toward what were the possibilities of what I could do.

3. What have you had to overcome along the way?
Share a setback, obstacle, or life circumstance that has shaped your experience.

Balancing work, life, and training, has always been a juggling act! I got hit by a car while biking in the fall of 2020, and shattered my collarbone (very fortunately that was the worst part of the injury - required surgery and a plate and 6 screws installed) - lots of rehab and getting back on the bike was hard. I was so proud of what I accomplished at camp last year - climbing is my weakest bike skill and riding with cars is still hard, so I’m really proud of how I did and handled all of that!

Also, I had a fire delay for my first really big swim and I did not handle it well. But, looking back, it gave me mental skills that I used for the EC and also in life and work as well!

4. What helped you move forward?
Were there changes in your approach, habits, mindset, or support that made a difference?

Marilyn was super helpful during that process of healing - it was hard, but a big part that helped me was to just take each day as it came and not worry about what I could/couldn’t/did/didn’t do the day before or what tomorrow would look like, but just really focusing on the present and want I could do today, and waking up each day with that mindset. I still try to do that (if I miss something or don’t get a workout in, I try to not let that derail the next day, but rather just move on).

5. How have we worked together as coach and athlete throughout your journey?
Share a conversation, adjustment, or challenge we worked through together and what you learned from that experience.

OMG, there are OH SO MANY!!! The length of Tahoe mental aspects of the delay and working through that was huge. Marilyn helped me to figure out how to sit with the disappointment, but also to not let that define everything about the swim or my swimming. She helped me figure out how to find my true “why” and deepen my love for swimming and the process of getting to a big event.

6. What are you most proud of?
This could be a race, a personal breakthrough, greater consistency, or something that no result sheet could capture.

Right now, I’m really proud of my two big swims close together, I’m most proud of myself for pushing myself to try hard and scary things that might not work out. I’m also really proud of my partial ride up Mt. Lemmon - that was really hard for me both mentally and physically, and it took a tremendous amount of self talk to get myself to try last year.

7. What have you learned about yourself through this process?
Has anything surprised you or changed how you see yourself?

I think after this season I finally really, truly feel like an athlete (I know, logically, how truly dumb that sounds). But as I don’t necessarily look like how I think an athlete should look, I’ve struggled with that A LOT. After those swims, I feel like a legitimate athlete.

8. What is one lesson you’d like to pass along?
What would you want someone starting out—or facing a similar challenge—to know?

Do things that excite you and make you want to be the best version of you that you can be. Not what someone else does or wants, but what you want. And to always dream about what’s possible - I’ve been thinking recently a lot about a saying “what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail”. I’m sure I know the answer there in any aspect of my life, but I do know I want to try to figure that out.

9. What does this journey mean to you beyond sport?
How has it influenced your everyday life, relationships, or perspective?

I have made so many friends all over the world! I feel like I could travel almost anywhere and find a group of my people, or find people I’ve met already! Also, my perspective on hard things and challenges - I already had a good disposition there, given my less than ideal childhood, but sport has strengthened that. I’ve also gained a lot of confidence in showing up and feeling like I belong in spaces and places.

10. What’s next for you?
What goal or experience are you looking forward to, and why does it matter to you?

I’m only just now starting to plan for next season. I needed some time to process and figure out what’s next! But I for sure have ideas!

Athlete Spotlight: Christina MacDougall