Today, I’m joined by Dana Bullard, a former marathon runner turned accomplished triathlete. Dana has completed 26 Ironmans, including six finishes at Kona. After years as a competitive runner through high school, college, and into her post-grad marathon career, she began to feel burnout creeping in.
When a colleague invited her to try a sprint triathlon, Dana placed third—even with limited biking and swimming experience. Rediscovering the joy of competition, she embraced triathlons for their variety and the challenge to continually improve. In this conversation, Dana shares her journey to success, her strategies for overcoming obstacles, and the support system that keeps her going.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…
- What success means to Dana [3:37]
- The best and worst investments Dana made in the sport [5:40]
- Dana shares her experience winning first place in an Ironman [10:41]
- What Dana thinks most triathletes should know [15:00]
- Dana’s unique independent training “community” [20:00]
- Who Dana admires most in the triathlon sport [22:23]
- Overcoming surgery for tumor and partial liver removal [30:05]
- What to do to improve your retirement nest egg [34:45]
What Contributes to Dana’s Success?
In the world of triathlons, Dana has long viewed qualifying for and finishing the Ironman World Championship in Kona as the pinnacle of success. She describes the difficulty of qualifying as making the finish line that much more rewarding.
Dana also considers her family’s support vital to her racing achievements. Seeing her mom cheering at events keeps her motivated and focused, while her husband dedicated years to coaching her, tirelessly researching ways to help her become faster and stronger. A major turning point in Dana’s athletic career came when she hired a professional coach to guide her training and refine her racing strategy.
Overcoming Obstacles to Keep Training
Athletic success requires consistency and dedication. While many in the triathlon community enjoy training with friends for motivation, Dana has often trained alone. Limited outdoor options in her area, a lifestyle split between two states, and her focus on national races have all made it challenging for her to establish a local training network. Instead, she’s relied on strong intrinsic motivation to keep herself on track.
Lack of community isn’t her greatest challenge. Dana faced a serious health obstacle when she underwent surgery to remove an eight-pound tumor from around her liver, requiring a six-day hospital stay. Remarkably, just one year after this major surgery, she placed 5th in her age group and achieved a personal record on the bike.
Dana Spotlights Her Triathlete Son
Dana’s biggest inspiration is her son, Blake, a high school senior and accomplished athlete. Blake is a four-time state champion in cross country and swimming, ranked #2 in the Junior Elite Nationals, qualifying him to represent the U.S. internationally. Alongside excelling in his AP classes, he’s part of Project Podium, a program dedicated to developing young triathletes with Olympic aspirations.
Resources & People Mentioned
Connect With Justin Waller
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Audio Production and Show Notes by – PODCAST FAST TRACK