“Carrying tomatoes is good Ironman training:” Missy LeStrange

I’m the oldest of six children and was active as a kid. My mother took us to the beach and we swam, rode bikes to school and played sports. Later, I competed at the junior college level in swimming and cross-country.

My introduction to triathlon came when I started swimming with [six-time Ironman world champion] Dave Scott in 1977. I trained for my first Ironman in 1983 thinking that would probably be the only one I’d ever do. I was starting a career in agriculture and never thought I’d make triathlon my hobby for life.

My thoughts ahead of that first Ironman were: will I be able to do this? I’d never been to Hawaii but I loved it: the ocean, the temperature, the fish. It was enchanting and mesmerising and awesome. 

I have the best support crew. My sister, Denise, has travelled with me to many races and shared the experience. We were born on the same day but one year apart, so we’ve always had that special bond celebrating birthdays together. 

I was blessed by having a very good experience in Hawaii for so many years. The timing of the race in October meant that I had already harvested all of my field trials, so Hawaii was my vacation before I returned home to crunch the numbers on my research reports. 

I’d be sweating out in the tomato fields in the summer, harvesting my experimental plots wearing blue jeans, a plaid shirt, work shoes and carrying 25lb buckets of tomatoes in each arm, thinking: ‘This is really good Ironman training’. Then I’d be running in the Ironman marathon saying: ‘At least I’m not harvesting tomatoes!’ 

Dave Scott’s father, Verne, encouraged all the swimmers to help in the community so I became the first chairperson of the Davis Masters [swim group]. I learnt how to organise committees and got involved with the USA Triathlon age-group commission for several years. 

My mantra is the four Cs. On race morning I tell myself to be calm, confident, because I’ve put my homework in, courageous and courteous to all who help. 

Since 1990, I’ve been swimming on a programme with kids aged 5-18 trying to make the Olympics or get scholarships to college. I get to hear all their laughter and it makes it very easy to swim four nights a week. 

To accomplish goals is rewarding and gives you courage to help others, too. My fastest time was 10:05 in 1983 in Hawaii, but winning my age-group 10 years in a row is something I’m also proud of.

Qualifying for the Ironman World Championship has been my annual goal for many years. When I learned the all-women’s race would be in Nice, I knew I had to change my race preparation. Training rides focused on hill climbing and descents. At home, I rode in the beautiful Sequoia mountains in the blazing summer heat.

My training paid off. I had a strong swim through the choppy waves and shifting currents, and I rode steadily all day. My legs didn’t ache, nor was I afraid on the steep descents of the twisting, mountainous terrain. 

I was unsure about the run but discovered I loved the four-loop course. Recognising the same cheering spectator groups on each lap kept me smiling mile after mile. At the finish line, I was proud of this achievement.

My advice? Start small and increase. That’s what we say in gardening. When you’re starting your first vegetable garden, start small, do a few crops at a time and then add to it once you’ve gained experience.  

Californian Missy Lestrange, 72, is a specialist in agriculture and plant science, and as the oldest female competitor in Nice, she not only took part in her 33rd Ironman World Championship but won a 19th age-group title.