Betty Janelle started Triathlon in 1993. After fifteen years of monitoring multiple myeloma Betty Janelle had to commence cancer treatment between October 2019 through to March 2020 followed by a stem cell transplant. In 2021 Betty competed in her first race since her treatment and was delighted to be racing again and thankful to be healthy on the start line. It was at this race that Betty qualified for the 2022 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships. Betty’s husband Ernie also qualified and races in Abu Dhabi with the best triathletes in the world in November.
How did you get into Triathlon?
I swam in college at Texas Tech and was burned out on swimming when I graduated. So I started training for a marathon and got injured which led me back to the pool where some friends convinced me to start doing triathlons. I raced Olympics and sprints from 1993-1996. I knew what triathlons were from watching Wide World of Sports!
Have you been involved in a World Championship before?
When I raced from 1993-1996, I competed in my first World Championship in Cleveland, Ohio. The entire experience at WC’s was amazing and Team USA had phenomenal performances and luckily I was 2nd Overall. Ernie and I went to Auckland WC’s and NZ is a wonderful country!
What would you consider your best achievement to date?
After competing in Ironmans and earning slots to Kona including one podium, my multiple myeloma (after 15 years of monitoring) was at a point where I needed to start treatment with my last race being Kona in October 2018. Between October 2019 through March 2020, I had four months of chemo treatments followed by a stem cell transplant. Because of covid, my first triathlon back was Nationals in Milwaukee in 2021 which was truly a blessing! It was so special to be competing again and I was thankful to be healthy enough to be able to race. My attitude was one of gratitude and coming in 7th in my AG and earning a slot to Abu Dhabi WC’s was icing not the cake! Our friends, who we reconnected with, Jim and Tracy Aust, convinced me to take my slot for Abu Dhabi and Ernie found out that he qualified also, so here we are!
What’s the best part about Triathlon?
Through the many years of competing in triathlons, I think the best part is supporting Ernie and many friends, mentoring younger athletes who are starting to race triathlons and training with lots of different friends across the three sports. Since I have a stressful and traveling job, I look forward to training with friends that cherish working out as much as I do! But we also LOVE going to races to cheer for friends and teammates even if we aren’t competing! We have traveled to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, NY, FL, Idaho, TN, KY, UT, AZ, China and Kona (many times) to cheer for Ernie and his friends/teammates competing in triathlons. Much to say, I find so much joy in cheering, blowing my vuvuzela while riding a bike along the course, watching friends push themselves and reap the rewards of their training!
What does your weekly training schedule look like and what’s your favourite part of it?
I train every day (usually before work and sometimes after also) and follow my Coach’s (PRO Haley Chura) training plans. On the weekends, I love riding bikes with friends- triathlon, road and gravel bikes. Since I am doing sprints and aqua bikes now and not Ironmans, my training hours are not as long and don’t take up the entire weekend. Since I am back traveling for work, I cherish the workouts when I can train with friends.
Do you train solo or with a group?
I train solo on the road and with friends and Dynamo Multisport teammates when I am in town.
Who is the most interesting/inspiring person you’ve met through the sport?
We met Tracy DiSabato-Aust and Jim in Beijing when Ernie raced WC’s. Through the years, we have seen each other at races and kept in touch. Tracy had cancer 6 years ago and is back racing and racing fast. More importantly, she is grateful for her health and ability to compete on a national and world level. When she and Jim and Ernie and I won the mixed relay in Irving and were debating taking our slot to Hamburg, Germany WC’s, she said let’s go as we never know what will happen in the next few years. So we are going to Hamburg! I truly feel blessed to know her, to be inspired by her and love watching her race so well after she recovered from cancer. Her attitude is truly amazing!
How much does it mean to you to represent USA at a World Championship level?
Ernie and I are huge sports fans and love watching all triathlon championship races, the Olympics, major marathons, Diamond League meets, swim championships, TDF, et al. Representing the USA at a WC is more than special for us!
What makes the experience so special?
We are so excited about racing at a World Championships given everything we have been through the last 3 years with my cancer treatment and then Covid. To be able to race in Abu Dhabi which we have seen on ITU coverage is going to be so exciting. Also, love that we will be able to watch the Pros race during the week!
What is your goal for Abu Dhabi?
My goal is to enjoy the amazing experience of racing with Ernie and our USA Teammate friends. Before my cancer, I loved training and racing Ironman races but now I am back to my beginnings in the sport and racing shorter distances. So this is a fantastic opportunity to represent the USA at WC’s, be a part of USA Team and visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the first time.
Why Triathlon?
I love racing triathlons because of the variety of the three sports, various distance races, supporting Ernie and many friends, going places to race that we would never visit and being part of the USA Triathlon family!
Who do you think will win the Elite races in Abu Dhabi?
Go Taylor Knibb for the women’s top of the podium and Kristian Blummenfelt for the men’s gold!
For more information about racing as a World Triathlete contact your National Federation.
