Tanya Grossman
Nicknames
T, Quadzilla
Age group
30 something
Sports Bio
High school gymnast and swimmer, recreational runner in college & grad school, began triathlons in 1997. Hiatus from 2004-2008 to have kids, and a very slow comeback.
Highlights of past season(s)
2011:
San Leandro Sports Foundation 5K overall winner
Reservoir Triathlon 2nd AG
California Sprint Triathlon 2nd OA
7 out of 7 Podium finishes at USA Cycling events
Mt. Diablo Challenge 3rd OA
Bah Humbug 5K 1st OA
Race Career Highlights
USA triathlon team member 2002 and 2003
Half Ironman PR 4:54, HIM bike leg PR 2:32
Olympic Distance Triathlon 40K bike leg 1:05, 10K run leg PR 40:20
3-time Ironman Finisher (IM California, IM Canada, IM New Zealand); more than 15 long course triathlon finishes
Boston Marathon Finisher
Favorite race experience
I love to win, I admit it. I also love making time-oriented goals and feel on top of the world when I achieve them in a race. However, my favorite race experience is Vineman 2008, just because of the struggle I went through to take time for myself to do the minimum training to even get to the finish line. That is something I definitely took for granted pre-children.
At the time my kids were 2 and 4 yrs old, I worked, and my husband traveled frequently on business, leaving me as a weekday single parent. My lifestyle of training and racing had been gone for 4 years. I was feeling depressed, yet I had incredible guilt if I took an extra 45 minutes to exercise before picking the kids up from daycare after work. Finally I signed up for my old favorite race and “allowed” myself to take some time to train, which I realized ultimately helps me to be a better mom. I traveled by myself to Santa Rosa. My race time wasn’t a PR, but I cried as I crossed the finish. I was proud of the race, and felt like I was on my way back to my old self.
Worst race experience
Adverse race conditions and poor nutrition choices have made some races “memorable” to me. But it seems my worst race experiences are the ones where I have high expectations, and probably too much ego. One that stands out for me is Ironman New Zealand. Yes, I had terrible races in my first two Ironman distance races, but this was different - I took time off and trained with fantastic athletes in New Zealand leading up to the race. I was ready for a big time PR. But I had a poor race plan on the bike, and made a rookie mistake by using new shoes on the run. Major blisters, and overall I was very disappointed in my experience. Ironman is a long way to go when you don’t meet your goal or expectations.
One unique or interesting fact about you or your life
I had a newspaper route from age 11-13. I had a one speed bike with a banana seat and spider handlebars, that I had bought used with saved-up money. I was small, and always had trouble carrying the heavy papers - if I carried the bag on the bars I couldn’t steer, if they were on the seat they rubbed against the chain or the pedals and I had to lean forward to counter balance the weight. I tried carrying the bag on my shoulders a few times, but I could barely breathe, let alone sit up and pedal a bike. I may have shed some tears of frustration on The Daily Review delivery. Two words: “Character builder.”
Best training advice ever received
“Suck it up, Cupcake.”
