PROJECT: SHOOTING BUBBLES

By Silvana Denker

Photographer | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerFoto Assistant | Manuela Freymann Model | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerofficial Glam Squad | Jasmin Fronholt IG: @jasmin.macht.makeup Ilka Müller IG: @ilkaem75 Ramona Mau IG: @hairandmakeup.ramona

Photographer | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerFoto Assistant | Manuela Freymann Model | Alexandra Linnemann IG: @alexandra.linnemann FB: @alexandralinnemann.de Glam Squad | Jasmin Fronholt IG: @jasmin.macht.makeup Ilka Müller IG: @ilkaem75 Ramona Mau IG: @hairandmakeup.ramona

Photographer | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerFoto Assistant | Manuela Freymann Model | Annika Kuhnen IG: @annikakuhnen Glam Squad | Jasmin Fronholt IG: @jasmin.macht.makeup Ilka Müller IG: @ilkaem75 Ramona Mau IG: @hairandmakeup.ramona

Photographer | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerFoto Assistant | Manuela Freymann Model | Valnesia Müllers IG: @valnesiadieleonora_ curvymodel FB: @Valnesia Di Eleonora Curvymodel Glam Squad | Jasmin Fronholt IG: @jasmin.macht. makeup Ilka Müller IG: @ilkaem75 Ramona Mau IG: @hairandmakeup.ramona

Photographer | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerFoto Assistant | Manuela Freymann Model | Ivy Griess IG: @happyblumen FB: @happyblumen (Ivy) Glam Squad | Jasmin Fronholt IG: @jasmin.macht.makeup Ilka Müller IG: @ilkaem75 Ramona Mau IG: @hairandmakeup.ramona

Photographer | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerFoto Assistant | Manuela Freymann Model | Joana Zodet IG: @curvymodel_lillybutterfly Glam Squad | Jasmin Fronholt IG: @jasmin.macht.makeup Ilka Müller IG: @ilkaem75 Ramona Mau IG: @hairandmakeup.ramona

Photographer | Silvana Denker IG: @silvanadenker FB: @SilvanaDenkerFoto Assistant | Manuela Freymann Model | Katharina Müller IG: @kathakonfetti Glam Squad | Jasmin Fronholt IG: @jasmin.macht.makeup Ilka Müller IG: @ilkaem75 Ramona Mau IG: @hairandmakeup.ramona

JOHANNA OUTLAW

AUTHOR

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

QSM: What made you start competing in triathlons? What were your family and friend’s reaction? Johanna: I kept hearing about this organization called TIFL (Tri It for Life) from fellow female runners. So when registration opened for the 2014 training season I signed up. I was actually travelling back home from finishing my 1st half marathon in the Outer Banks when the email went out that registration was open. I was in the passenger seat and registered myself and the driver for the training program. The other passenger in the car also registered for the program. My family was supportive of my decision to train for my first triathlon. My friends were also very supportive of the decision as well. As the race day approached, I kept friends aware of the day and a few came out to support. It meant so much to me to have friends with me to share in that achievement.

QSM: Which part of the competition is your favorite? Why? Johanna: I would say it’s a tie for my favorite part. Swimming is probably my favorite part. I have always enjoyed swimming ever since I was kid. Training with TIFL helped me learn to swim better and to learn to breathe while swimming instead of holding my breath. That

TRIATHLON ATHLETE

was a MAJOR game changer. Cycling ties with swimming. Prior to training in 2014 I hadn’t been on a bicycle since I was a kid. Once I remembered how the whole process of riding a bike worked, I fell in love with cycling. I loved cycling downhill. I would lean into my bike and just FLY. Going uphill is a totally different process. I chug slow and steady like the little engine that could. I think I can. I think I can. QSM: What has been the most difficult part of the process? Johanna: The most difficult part was training to go between 2 of the 3 parts. We would do brick training which consists of performing 2 of the aspects of triathlon. Sunday we would have swim training and then bike training or we would have swim training and then run training. On Tuesday and Thursday we would have cycling training and then run training. This would allow your muscles to adjust to going from the pool and then to the bike and then to the pavement. This training is necessary to allow you to be prepared for those transitions on race day. This was very new for me as I had never done more than one sport at a time. I went from running to triathlon. This was a whole new ballgame for me.

QSM: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a triathlete? Johanna: I would say that my biggest accomplishment as triathlete is finishing the race. It doesn’t matter how you start. What matters is the finish. Every time I cross that finish line I celebrate.

QSM: You are currently on a brief hiatus; I’m assuming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. a need for plus size cycling and triathlon active

What are you doing to stay active? Johanna: You are correct COVID has put a damper on my exercise/training. I was planning for 2020 to be the year I complete my first open water swim race. Thanks to COVID those plans are being delayed to 2021. I will be perfectly honest my motivation to exercise has completely been lost due to COVID. PreCOVID I would be swimming at the gym on Monday at 5am with friends. I would get in at least 2 days of swimming, 1-2 days of cycling/ walking. I was slowly getting into a training routine that would prepare me for a triathlon. I this year. Thanks, COVID (sad face) That is

have recently celebrated a birthday. That has made me aware that I need to get back on the exercise path. QSM: Your book The Power of the Turtle: Tales of Being Dead Last chronicles your journey as a triathlete. What prompted you to share your story? Johanna: Actually, it chronicles my entire athletic journey. It goes from starting a couch to 5K program, running 5Ks, running half marathons, completing triathlons, completing back to back half marathons within the course of one week to become a half fanatic. It was a suggestion of my best friend, Gregory AKA Tall Drink Clanton to write the book. I would always blog after a race and during my TRI training. He told me the way I write was great story telling and that I should write a book. I never even thought about writing a book. So, the idea was born there. I decided to go back to the beginning. The book chronicles my athletic journey from 2008-2016. QSM: Many will say you do not look like the traditional triathlete. How do you respond to those individuals? Johanna: I respond that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Society will have you believe that “an athlete” is someone who is Olympic were walking. That is not the case. Athletes come in all shapes and sizes. Retailers have started to take notice as there is now athletic wear available in plus sizes for females; that wasn’t available say 10 years ago. I have had a desire to start a plus size athletic line that would include cycling and tri gear. There is still wear in the retail market. Do you know of any investors? (smiles) QSM: What would you say to someone interested in triathlons? How should they get started? Johanna: I would say find you a triathlon group/program/trainer. It is much easier to train with a group or a trainer for accountability purposes. Check your local parks and recreation and gyms, YMCAs and health clubs. There are TRI groups everywhere. Of course, check the internet. I’m a part of one that has members located across the US.

QSM: What’s next for you? Johanna: Getting back to a consistent exercise program. I only have one race planned for bound and have been training since they

the Reggae Marathon 10K on December 6 in Negril, Jamaica. We shall see. I also have travel insurance in case the race does get cancelled. QSM: If you could describe your journey using one word, what would it be and why? Johanna: Adventure. I use adventure because it has never been a dull moment. There have been ups and downs. Having a great support system is also key to this journey. I have been a part of great training groups and programs here in the Raleigh area that have been essential to this journey.