Michele Pollio

Michele is a reformed geek, who took up swimming and running at a recreational level while in college to lose the “freshman 15”. She completed her first triathlon in 1984, with a finish position solidly in the middle of the pack. Lack of athletic prowess beat out her latent competitive drive for six years, but eventually she came back to triathlon and has been hooked ever since. Michele enjoys competing and encouraging everyone who will listen to take up the sport. When not training, Michele works full-time as an architect. Training as a project manager has given her the skills necessary to schedule a full-time job, training and parenting. She likes to spend time with her son, Harper, who (predictably) loves to run, bike and swim and can’t wait to try his first tri. Michele’s best world’s finish was in 2001 in Edmonton, despite a bike crash and undiagnosed thyroid cancer. Two surgeries, radiation treatment and being “profoundly hypo-thyroid” three winters in a row didn’t slow Michele down. She received a clean bill of health in 2004 and celebrated by completing her first Ironman (Ironman Lake Placid), chatting all the way. She hadn’t expected to qualify for Ironman Hawaii, but when a slot came her way, she seized the opportunity. Michele does not recommend doing two Ironman races in one year!

Strength: Peaking for big races

Highlights:
1.  ITU World Championships

• Triathlon: 2004 11th, 2003 28th, 2002 18th, 2001 9th, 1998 26th
• Aquathlon (Run/Swim/Run): 2003 3rd, 2002 2nd
• Duathlon: Team Member, 2003

• Triathlon Nationals: 2003 14th, 2002 7th, 1998 13th
• Worlds Qualifier: 2002 4th, 2001 8th
• Duathlon Nationals: 2003 7th

• Ironman North America, Lake Placid, 2004 7th
• Ironman World Championship, Hawaii: 2004 20th

• Overall Race Winner: Diamond in the Rough Triathlon 2003, Anthracite Triathlon 2003, Octoberfest Triathlon 2002, Race for Independence 2000, New Years Day 5K 2001, Vincentown Sprint Triathlon 2000, 1997
• Overall Award Winner: Skylands Triathlon 2002 (2nd, top amateur), Do the Tri, Tri the Du 2000 (2nd, top amateur), Lake Lenape Triathlon 2002 (2nd), West Point Triathlon 2002 (2nd), Brandywine Fox Hunt Triathlon 1996 (3rd), Sea Crest Tobay Triathlon 1998 (2nd), Mason Dixon Triathlon 1996, 2000 (2nd).
• Many Age-group awards

• USATriathlon All-American for Triathlon 2004, 2003
• USA Triathlon All-American for Aquathlon 2003, 2002
• USA Triathlon Honorable Mention for Triathlon 2002, 2001
• Mid Atlantic Olympic Distance Regional Champion, Women 35-39, 2002