Second-year medical student prepares for IRONMAN world championship
Rising second-year medical student Brett Saunders recently qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship to be held Sept. 14 in Nice, France. This will be Saunders fourth full IRONMAN. He has also completed more than 30 shorter triathlons. He shared his thoughts on competition, personal challenge and building a mindset for success with The Pulse.
What compelled you to do a triathlon?
During high school, I was an avid cross country and track runner and wanted to find a new way to challenge myself outside of an organized sport. Triathlon seemed to be a segue from running since I at least had some experience. At Ohio State University, I was a part of the triathlon team that traveled to race across the U.S. I would later become a coach of this team after graduating, which was an extremely rewarding experience.
What is your training routine?
During the school year, I attempt to train around 10-15 hours per week. This total includes all the swimming, biking and running that I do. School is a lot, so sometimes this number fluctuates based on our exam schedule. I would say I began training for my past IRONMAN (in April) in about December, but I normally keep a high level of fitness year-round.
When did you start training for Nice? How did you qualify?
It was at Ironman Texas (this April) that I qualified for Nice. I qualified via an age group spot, which means I finished well enough among those who are 25-29 years old to get a spot. My training for Nice didn’t begin initially as I had the Cleveland Marathon a couple of weeks later to recover and prepare for. With the Cleveland Marathon done, I am now able to focus solely on triathlon until the World Championships in September.
Are you racing for a cause? If so, what is it?
When I first began racing, I did it for the love of the sport. I enjoy many aspects of the sport especially the competition, lifestyle and community. While in college, my father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and subsequently died from the disease. His support for my pursuits in triathlon and future medical school were unwavering before and after his diagnosis. Today, I race with him on my mind and envision him watching me from the sidelines.
Do you see a link between your extreme racing and medical school?
Absolutely, racing and medical school require the same mindset to succeed. An unwavering belief that the work we do in the present will pay dividends in the future. Those early mornings in the pool and late evenings in the library both boost me towards my future goals. It may be a funny word, but “grit” to push through is what I believe triathlon has instilled in my spirit to pursue goals that take time and immeasurable effort.
How do balance the intense training needed for a triathlon with studying?
As I referenced before, training and studying don’t always mesh well together. The art of creating balance is determining what’s important to me and my well-being. For me, that’s to improve myself physically and mentally during my day. I attempt to cut out all the things that don’t help get me to these goals. Meal prep, efficient studying and some multitasking help to make my schedule work. Sometimes an activity may fit both goals, an afternoon run as a study break is exactly what I need after a few hours in the books.
What led you to NEOMED?
NEOMED has such a connection to its local roots. The school stands out because it consistently educates physicians that want to improve healthcare in our state, Ohio. As an Ohio born and educated individual, I value a school that wants to give back to the state that supports its mission.