Becca Cota of Minnesota
We caught up with Becca on a snowy day to look back on her development in the sport and look ahead to the upcoming season.
How did you get started in the sport?
I started running in college to get in shape and when my sister signed up for her first marathon in 2005, I didn’t want to be left out so I did too. After another marathon the next year with my husband (then boyfriend) we decided to do a triathlon. We went out, bought bikes and did a sprint tri - it was miserable. An olympic tri later in the summer went marginally better but by that time, I was hooked. I started working with Liz in 2009 when I wanted to move up to longer races and become more competitive.
I started running in college to get in shape and when my sister signed up for her first marathon in 2005, I didn’t want to be left out so I did too. After another marathon the next year with my husband (then boyfriend) we decided to do a triathlon. We went out, bought bikes and did a sprint tri - it was miserable. An olympic tri later in the summer went marginally better but by that time, I was hooked. I started working with Liz in 2009 when I wanted to move up to longer races and become more competitive.
What was the highlight of your 2010 season?
Finishing my first Ironman in Cozumel. It was the perfect day – I hit the times I expected, my nutrition and hydration were spot on and I pretty much smiled the entire day. I felt 100% prepared. My husband also finished his first ironman there which made it extra special. I loved every second of that race.
Finishing my first Ironman in Cozumel. It was the perfect day – I hit the times I expected, my nutrition and hydration were spot on and I pretty much smiled the entire day. I felt 100% prepared. My husband also finished his first ironman there which made it extra special. I loved every second of that race.
Tell us about your recent swim meet where you placed in your age group in all 5 events; How did you feel? Why did you do it? How did you do?
I had been seeing some pretty quick gains in my swimming when I joined masters in January and was having a blast in the pool so Liz recommended a swim meet. There was a masters meet that weekend and it sounded like a fun challenge.
I was a swimmer when I was younger but my last swim meet was probably 13 years ago – needless to say I was pretty nervous going in. I did the 50, 100, 200 and 500 free and 50 fly and saw some times I honestly didn’t think I was still capable of. I left with thoroughly trashed lats but a big smile on my face. Although I am super happy with how I did, it just made me hungrier to get back in the pool and get faster!
What are you most excited about this season?
Getting uncomfortable. The last couple of years I have really stayed in my comfort zone which is long/slow. My focus this year is on strength, speed and olympic distance. It scares the heck out of me and I can’t wait!
I was a swimmer when I was younger but my last swim meet was probably 13 years ago – needless to say I was pretty nervous going in. I did the 50, 100, 200 and 500 free and 50 fly and saw some times I honestly didn’t think I was still capable of. I left with thoroughly trashed lats but a big smile on my face. Although I am super happy with how I did, it just made me hungrier to get back in the pool and get faster!
What are you most excited about this season?
Getting uncomfortable. The last couple of years I have really stayed in my comfort zone which is long/slow. My focus this year is on strength, speed and olympic distance. It scares the heck out of me and I can’t wait!
Congratulations, Becca! What I enjoy most about working with Becca is that she is constantly seeking ways to challenge herself - whether through joining me at a camp last year, stepping up to the Ironman distance or participating in the swim meet, she has an intuitive sense of what it takes to get out of her comfort zone, works hard to get there and is fearless when it finally happens! Go Becca!
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