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18FOCUS-OCTOBER201212shetradedinherbladesforasaddle.SheexcelledasanequestrianandtaughthorsebackridinginGreenbank.x1cAsateenagerhorseswereeverythingx1dsheenthused.AfterhighschoolshestudiedpublicrelationsatDurhamCollege.Shealsox1cstartedrunningforfuntnessandstressrelief.x1dThreeyearsagoshebranchedoutintoswimmingandbikingandbeganherstellarcareercompetingasatriathlete.AsastudentatschoolsinBlackstockandPortPerryBrandicallshersportsperformancesx1cmediocre.x1dShewasnx19teventhestarofthetrackandeldteam.x1cIsurprisemyselfx1dBrandisaysofhersuccess.ShetookaphotoofherpuppywearinghergoldmedalfromJulyx19striathloninMuskoka.AttheIronmanMontTremblantinAugustshecompletedthetriathloninanamazing11hoursandeightminutesplacingfourthinherageclass.Thiswasdespitethefactthatshehadanupsetstomachandcouldnx19tkeepany-thingdown.Whencompetingsheissupposedtotakein400caloriesperhourintheformofthickenergydrinksorgelsplussaltpills.WhenshemadeittothenishlineBrandiwassoemotionalsheburstintotears.Thenshewasembarrassedbecausetherewerephotographers.x1cThecrowdwascheeringx1dsherecalled.x1cItwassosurreal.x1dHermomwasbyherside.x1cIneverdreamedIwouldmakeitasfarasIhavex1dshesaid.Finishingatriathlonisamajoraccomplish-ment.Manycompetitorsdropoutalongthewayduetofatigueorinjuries.AtMontTrem-blant2600triathletesenteredthewateratthesametime.x1cItwasdangerousx1dshesaid.x1cItx19slikebeinginawashingmachinex1dBrandidescribed.Therex19salotofpunchingandkickingbutthecrowdspreadsoutafterabout15or20minutes.QualifyingfortheWorldIronmanwasnotafeatsheaccomplishedaloneBrandisaysmodestly.ShegivescredittohercoachesRandyZabucovekandJohnReidofIronStrideinKingston.Theyemailheratrainingscheduleonceaweek.Itx19salwaysasur-prisewhatitwillbe.Shecouldnx19tcompetewithoutthenancialsupportofhersponsorEmmer-sonInsuranceofPortPerry.Althoughshecallsitax1csolitarysportx1dBrandilikesbeingpartofateamandtrainingwithotherIronStrideWestathletes.x1cWecompeteagainsteachotherbutwealsosupporteachother.x1dHerbiggestfanishermomwhounderstandsherbecausetheyarebothathletes.x1cShex19salwaystherstatthenishlinex1dBrandisaidofhermother.x1cShex19sgreat.x1dAnnaForderandafriendwillaccompanyBranditoHawaiitocheerheron.Theworldcompetitionis140.6milesanditincludesswimmingintheoceanfollowedbybikingonnaturalislandterrainfollowedbyx1cherrstloveandstrengthrunning.x1dBrandiadmittedtobeingconcernedaboutingestingsaltwaterwhileswim-mingintheoceanandhermotherisworriedaboutsharks.Intenseheatand45mphwindsareexpected.x1cTheelementscangettoyoux1dshenoted.WhileBrandiishopinghermotherwillhavetimeforsightseeinginHawaiisheplanstorestinherhotelroomthedaybeforetheevent.Beingtcomesrst.Itx19sallabouteatinghealthynotprocessedfoodsgettingsoremusclestreatedbymassagesandvisitingchiropractorsandabalanceofBrandiisseenhereduringtherunpor-tionofatriathlonearlierthissummer.Atriathlonisasolitarysport.x1cWecompeteagainsteachotherbutalsosupporteachotherx1d...BrandiWonnacottContinuedfrompage17