Athlete Spotlight: Laura Silva’s story
Tell us a little about yourself. What does life look like outside of training, and what drew you to endurance sports?
I’m married, recently retired, with 2 adult daughters well-launched. No one would have ever predicted that I would do any sport. I was a shrimpy, uncoordinated, asthmatic kid, who assumed that sport was for other people
Where did your journey begin? Think back to when you started. What were you hoping for, and what felt challenging or unfamiliar?
In my mid-40s, I had some chance encounters with matter-of-fact people who changed my status quo. After one workout, I felt SO MUCH BETTER. After quite a lot of work with gym trainer Jared, the day I first ran a mile on a treadmill was life-changing. My asthma was getting under control. I ran a 5k and kept increasing distance to complete marathons. I joined running friends to do a local sprint tri, and kept going, hiring a coach to help me with my Cool Impossible Goal to complete a 70.3. I was sure to thank Jared profusely after I completed IMAZ 2019. I simply cannot go back to how I was before, and want to keep going.
What have you had to overcome along the way? Share a setback, obstacle, or life circumstance that has shaped your experience.
Maybe my biggest barrier has been decades of non-athleticism. I’m super late in the game in learning how to move fluidly and have a productive athlete mindset. One example is that I’ve spent a lot of time being terrified of bike descents. My first coach was masterful in understanding how to overcome my balkiness; at her tri camp, she sent me on a ride with the “big kids” to tackle a series of short steep hills on country roads. While I could power up one, I wouldn’t make it up all the hills unless I had a fast descent on all the hills. I could see my buddies were fine, the road was fine, I was fine. It really helped. The next time I descended Mount Lemmon, I felt loose, floating down, and enjoying the ride.
What helped you move forward? Were there changes in your approach, habits, mindset, or support that made a difference?
With endurance and multisport, having a coach is critical for me. There are many aspects to consider, and having an objective voice to analyze and advise allows me to be more productive and directed. Over the 10 years I’ve been doing tri, I’ve gradually made changes to my habits, nutrition/hydration, and mind-set.
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.
I’ve only been working with Marilyn since March, and we have made a lot of progress. My strength workouts are helping prevent body mechanical breakdown, and I can see the night-and-day difference in my posture at the finish line. The mental training has been foundational: I’m more controlled and consistent during races, which is showing up as races being less chaotic.
What are you most proud of? This could be a race, a personal breakthrough, greater consistency, or something that no result sheet could capture.
I’m most proud that I’m still married (40 years) even with IMAZ, eleven 70.3’s, and numerous other races. When we said those vows, he had no idea what would happen! I’m really proud that I can be doing all this in my 60s. I want to keep going. Everything we are doing is a great way to age.
What have you learned about yourself through this process? Has anything surprised you or changed how you see yourself?
I am comfortable calling myself an athlete. 10 years ago, I felt like that would be a ridiculous statement. The human body is amazing. It wants to heal, it wants to play, and the brain wants to be challenged.
What is one lesson you’d like to pass along? What would you want someone starting out—or facing a similar challenge—to know?
It’s never too late!
What does this journey mean to you beyond sport? How has it influenced your everyday life, relationships, or perspective?
I enjoy having friends I’ve met in the sport. My fitness also allowed me to go hiking in Norway with my Norwegian cousins. In 2024, a group of us did the 3-day Trekanten hut-to-hut hike, which is very difficult, but amazing. I enjoy the Tucson multisport community, and I’ve been very active with Tucson Tri Girls (serving as President this year), which is a non-profit to encourage women in the sport, making it more affordable and accessible.
What’s next for you? What goal or experience are you looking forward to, and why does it matter to you?
I’m signed up for 2027 races, including IM WI 70.3 and USAT AG Spring and Oly in Des Moines. My next Cool Impossible goal is a sub-2 half marathon, which matters to me, because I like having an outrageous goal in my life.