Judith, who trains at Denver's Schlessman YMCA, won her 60-64 age group division at the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.   She completed the course in 12 hours, 27 minutes and 51 seconds. 

Laney, who has been a member of the Y for over 30 years (and competing in triathlons for that same amount of time), gives a lot of credit to the Y.  

"The spinning classes provided me with high intensity, interval training and the group I trained with provided support and encouragement," Schlessman said.

She trained 12 to 15 hours a week while balancing a full-time job and family.

This was Judith's first world championship experience, and first full Ironman distance triathlon.  She competed on Oct. 13 with nearly 2,000 athletes from across the world, ranging in age from 19 to 82.

 

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