Meet Pat Lillehei (part 1 of 2)

I was swimming with Masters at another club, back in 2011. I wasn’t pleased with their program- the coach, and the cost, were disappointing.  I discovered the YWCA Masters Program by searching online.  YWCA of Minneapolis had an introductory offer where a nonmember could purchase a (very reasonable) package to attend Masters Swim Sessions.  This experience was so good that I joined YWCA of Minneapolis.

I was impressed with the expertise of YWCA coaches, as well as their sincere interest in my well-being and success.  I learned of the YWCA Women’s Triathlon and participated in YWCA training for the swimming, biking and running classes. My journey has given me such confidence that in 2015 I swam, biked, and ran in five outdoor triathlons and three indoor triathlons.  I competed in the Minnesota Senior Games in swimming, biking, and running.  I competed in the National Senior Games in swimming and the triathlon.  I drove to Utah and competed in swimming and the triathlon at their World Senior Games.

Currently, I like to attend the YWCA every weekday morning at six am for Masters Swim, yoga, Pumped, and running.  Kym Zest, my personal trainer, went the extra mile to help me with my running, which is the weakest part of the triathlon. She met me at parks this summer and we ran for an hour. I rode my bike to Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis, Lake of the Isles, and to Minnehaha Park and then would run with guidance and encouragement from Kym. I try to have an event planned for the upcoming months. I try to start each weekday with a fun activity at the YWCA.  Coming up, I’m registered for the YWCA Indoor Triathlon on December 6, at the Midtown YWCA.