537. Dede Griesbauer, Professional Triathlete

Ali on the Run Show

Ali Feller

Run, Health & Fitness, Women, Inspiration, Runner, Entrepreneur, Sports, Fitness, Health, Running

4.9 • 3.7K Ratings

🗓️ 7 July 2022

⏱️ 70 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

"Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to be slower."

Some people have obvious superpowers. Others — like professional triathlete Dede Griesbauer — keep their superpowers closer to the chest. Dede recently gave a TEDxBoston talk about her own superpowers: persistence and determination. And in this conversation, she explains how receiving a "Persistence & Determination" award as an 8-year-old at summer camp helped her become the successful athlete she is today. Dede is 51 years old, and has been competing as a professional triathlete for the past 20 years. She started competing at a time when many pros are starting to think about transitioning out of the sport. That's never deterred her, though. Dede doesn't care that her competitors are often half her age. Because she is the one with persistence and determination. And she has the trophy case to show for it: Dede is a three-time Ironman champion, a three-time Top 10 finisher at Ironman Kona, and was the top American finisher in Kona twice. Her current favorite event: the Ultraman. Dede completed her first Ultraman event — a three-day, 320-mile event that includes a 10K swim and 91-mile bike ride on the first day, a 171-mile bike ride the second day, and a double marathon on the third day — in 22 hours, 48 minutes, and 31 seconds, smashing the world record by more than an hour. When she's not on the swim, bike, or run, Dede is a commentator for Ironman. She lives in Boulder, CO, with her husband, dogs, and scooter.

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.

What you’ll get on this episode:

What’s making Dede happy right now (5:00)
What Dede’s training for right now (7:55)
All about 8-year-old Dede’s life-changing summer camp experience (21:15)
How Dede has dealt with pressure and expectations (29:00)
Dede’s early career working on Wall Street (38:40)
What it’s like standing on start lines next to competitors who are half Dede’s age (48:00)
Dede’s advice for longevity in sport (51:10)

For more, check out:

Dede’s TEDxBoston Talk!

Kate Fagan on Episode 528 of the Ali on the Run Show

Follow Dede:

Instagram @dedegriesbauer

Follow Ali:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by YouCan.
0:04.2	Go to youcan.co slash alley and use code alley to get 20% off your next YouCan order.
0:15.5	Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show. I'm your host Alley Feller and every week I talk with people
0:21.2	who are doing exciting things on the run and beyond. We all share that love for running and
0:27.6	that's what brings us all together. But of course there is more to life than what happens on
0:32.3	the run itself. And this show is all about the in-betweens. We are talking about the moments and
0:38.0	decisions that have shaped who we are today and the wise. Why do we do what we do and how does
0:44.0	getting sweaty factor in? My guest today is professional triathlete Deedy Grease Foward.
0:49.5	Deedy is awesome. I got to hear her speak at TEDx Boston last month and I was totally blown away.
0:58.2	Not only was, is Deedy hilarious, but the takeaways from her talk and from her life are so profound.
1:06.7	Deedy is 51 years old. She has been competing as a professional triathlete for 20 years.
1:12.8	That means she started competing professionally at a time when a lot of professional athletes
1:18.3	are beginning to think about the next steps in their careers. Deedy has never been deterred though.
1:24.3	Are her competitors often half her age? Sure, but she has and has always had two very important
1:32.4	qualities. Persistence and determination. Deedy is a three-time Ironman champion. She is a three-time
1:40.8	top 10 finisher at Ironman World Championships in Kona. She was the top American finisher in Kona
1:47.9	twice. Deedy's current favorite activity? That's the Ultraman, which she did in 22 hours, 48 minutes,
1:56.1	and 31 seconds, smashing the world record by more than an hour. We get to hear all about that
2:04.1	and so much more in this conversation, so please join me in welcoming professional triathlete
2:10.0	Deedy Grease Bower to the Alley on the Run Show. All right, Alley on the Run Show friends,
2:23.2	I'm telling you, the best thing that came out of doing TEDx Boston was I have met and connected
2:28.0	with so many incredible women, Deedy. I am obsessed with you. I'm just going to say it. Your talk
	...

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