Charisa Wernick

Charisa is credited with getting her father into running. He promised her that he would run a marathon with her. They somehow got hooked. He then discovered cycling, and is credited with getting Charisa into triathlon.

The Chicago Triathlon was where father and daughter made their triathlon debut. Wearing baggy soccer shorts on her borrowed bike with basket pedals, she quickly realized that having parachutes on each leg may not be the most aerodynamic way to fly down Lakeshore Drive. But my what a fun sport this was!

College and grad school were filled with training for various races and then meeting up with Pops to try to beat him – even if just in one of the three sports.

And then there was a breakthrough. Charisa’s Dad had taken on a job that didn’t allow for much training. Being the supportive father that he was and undaunted by his lack of training, he agreed to race the Timberman Triathlon with her. A great run off the bike and for the first time ever, Charisa realized she just might be well-suited for this sport! She had a bit of time to contemplate this as she waited for her Dad at the finish line.

And so the journey began. The quest to see just how fast she could get. Olympic distance led to 70.3 and then to Ironman, and on to Kona. A few races through the lava fields and the jump to the professional ranks was made.

It’s been a ton of work, it’s been a ton of fun and Charisa is having the time of her life!

Oh, and if you’re curious – her Dad’s still doing pretty well himself . . . the goal is to race Kona together some day soon. Stay tuned!