Why not dream big when you have the world at your fingertips?
For Alec Wilimovsky, the journey has just begun. One that he hopes will culminate with a trip to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The senior from Malibu High has quickly become one of the nation’s best triathletes for his age group. With every stroke, every pedal and every stride, Wilimovsky inches closer to achieving his dream in the multistage competition.
On July 13 at the 2014 Flatland Elite Cup Triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa, Wilimovsky finished seventh out of 65 competitors in the 19-and-under age group division. His time of 58:30 was a personal best in a race that entailed a 750- meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and 5-kilometer run. Triathlon participants compete for the best overall time.
“It went well,” Wilimovsky said. “I came out of the water in fifth. I rode hard with my group [Triathlon Training Systems] and opened up a minute gap on the group behind us. I then ran my best time [17:01] and finished in seventh.”
Wilimovsky, 17, now embarks upon his toughest challenge yet. The 2014 USA Triathlon National Championships will be held on August 2 in West Chester, Ohio, where the best of the best will congregate and battle in one of America’s most grueling sports.
Wilimovsky will compete in the Junior Elite National Championship division, which is “draft legal.” During the biking portion, competitors may draft behind each other. When bicyclists ride in a single file line, energy is conserved and wind resistance is reduced.
Currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in nondraft legal triathlons and 10th in the country for draft legal triathlons (Olympic style), Wilimovsky is ready to take on the upcoming National Championship race.
“I’m definitely excited. It’s the biggest race of the year by far,” he said. “I’m not nervous but there is a lot of unknown because anything can happen at Nationals. There is a lot of pressure to do well. If you finish top-five, then everyone knows who you are.”
A week later on August 9 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wilimovsky will participate in the nondrafting 2014 USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals, specifically in the 16 to 17 age group.
“Triathlon is my life. I enjoy going out on bike rides with my friends, coming to swim practice and going on some long runs,” Wilimovsky said. “It’s what I like doing. It’s all for competing. That’s what I live for. I love racing against other guys.”
While many of his friends sleep in and enjoy a relaxing summer, Wilimovsky wakes up by 7:30 a.m. and is out running by 8 a.m. most mornings. The day continues with a bike ride in mid-afternoon and swim practice in the early evening.
As much as it is physical, the mental side at times can be the toughest to cope with.
“There are definitely days when I wake up and don’t want to train at all,” said Wilimovsky. “But then I think about all the other guys out there who are training harder than you. [You’ve] got to pull yourself out of bed and get going. It takes a lot of motivation and dedication.”
Wilimovsky can be found daily running along the trails at Malibu Creek State Park, biking in Latigo Canyon and swimming at Malibu High.
A typical week of intense training involves an average of eight hours of swimming (two hours, four days a week), nine hours of cycling (20 to 60 miles per day, four to five times a week) and 10 hours of running (three to 10 miles a day, six days a week).
Catch your breath yet?
During the school year, Wilimovsky runs cross-country for MHS in the fall and competes in track and swimming in the spring. He won two swim CIF titles as part of the Sharks’ winning relay teams.
His competitive nature stems from one potentially life-changing goal.
“My ultimate goal is the Olympics and it’s going to take patience for sure. It’s a long way down the road and it’s going to take a lot of hard work,” Wilimovsky said. “Triathlon is a unique sport and you need a different mind-set for it. I feel pretty accomplished with what I have done so far.”
