Feature
Brown only has been able to compete in 4-5 races per year since moving to Washington, but he raced about 15 times the previous year. He plans to find time for more racing in the future. “One day, when I’m done with my political career, I want to take a year off to race,” he said.
His competitive spirit translates to triathlon as well. “I made [USA Triathlon] All-American in triathlon last year,” he said. To be ranked as All-American, a triathlete has to finish the year in the top 5 percent of the rankings, no small feat.
Brown credits the multisport lifestyle and the people in it with helping him advance in triathlon and life. He is a member of the Bay State Triathlon Club (and winner of the 2009 Bay State Championship Race Series) and, as previously noted, a major repeat member and supporter of Team USA.
“It’s a wonderful sport,” he said. “What makes it the most special are the people, they take time to help the newbies. If I see someone struggling, I stop to try to help them. I enjoy being able to participate in the world championship events, to meet great people and have the opportunity to travel around the world.”
A self-described “Reagan Republican,” Brown won a Senate seat that had been in Democratic hands for as long as anyone could remember. He embraces negotiation, cooperation and reasonable political policies finding little time for dogma or grandstanding about important national problems.
“We all need to work together to solve problems,” Brown said, and he’d just as soon do that on a long ride up Route 1A. “It’s heavenly,” he said.
Look for Brown’s book, “Against All Odds: My Life of Hardship, Fast Breaks, and Second Chances,” available now.
Triathlons push you to the edge. They require an athlete to be good at three things at once, and, for me, they have a powerful ability to clear my mind.
POLITICIANS WHO TRI
Nancy Kemp-Arendt is a politician in Luxembourg. She’s competed in the Olympics in both swimming and triathlon. She placed 10th in the inaugural triathlon in 2000 at the Olympic Games in Sydney. She currently sits in her country’s national legislature, the Chamber of Deputies.
John Kerry a Massachusetts senator, often runs with Brown. The senators have publicly said they plan to train for a triathlon together.
Gary Johnson is a former governor of New Mexico and was the first governor to compete in the Ironman World Championship.
60 USA TRIATHLON SUMMER 2011
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