Name: Mark Nation

Age: 41

Personal: I am originally from Chattanooga, TN, along with my wife, Leslie (also a multisport athlete).  However, I have lived and/or worked in dozens of states as a former professional touring/recording musician (WAY back when), then in a number of high tech or entrepreneurial jobs.  I attended The University of Tennessee – Chattanooga as a business major and went on to earn my MBA from Harvard Business School.  I’m currently a Business Executive at SAP, the world leader in business software.  Leslie and I have two wonderful children, Madeline (6) and Alex (4), plus a Yorkie puppy named Lyla (6 mos.).

Growing up, I was very competitive in a number of sports, including football, wrestling and baseball among others.  Never toyed with any of the triathlon disciplines, though.  I just picked up the multisport concept in late 2007 after getting bored with marathon long training runs.  Had to take up swimming from ground zero…and I’m STILL painfully slow in that discipline!  Coupling a stressful, travel-laden work schedule with young kids at home, training time is always quite limited for me.  As a result, I just do the best with what I have and enjoy myself through each experience.

All my life, I have been thrilled – and oftentimes humbled – by reaching out to achieve what many would think are impossible goals.  Triathlon just brings another aspect of that approach to my life, and both Leslie and I are proud to have become good examples to our kids of enjoying an active, healthy lifestyle.

Athletic Accomplishments: I earned age group or divisional awards in a number of races during my first full multisport season.

Staggerwing Duathlon – 1^st Place Clydesdale (2007)

Fellowship 5K – 3^rd Place 40-44 AG

Whistlestop Duathlon (SE Short Course Championship) – 2^nd Master’s CLY

Homestretch Challenge 5K – 1^st Place 40-44 AG

GJCC Memorial Day Triathlon – 1^st Place CLY

Callaway Gardens Sprint Triathlon – 2^nd Place Master’s CLY

Tri the Parks (Mistletoe State Park) – 3^rd Place Master’s CLY

Mountain Lakes Triathlon (SE Short Course Championship – 4^th Master’s CLY

Callaway Gardens Olympic Triathlon – 2^nd Place CLY

2009 Goals: I am working to increase my race distances, and plan to complete my first Half Ironman – Ironman 70.3 New Orleans.  Other goals are to continue improving in each discipline and compete for divisional podiums in each of my key races, including at least 1-2 Southeast U.S. Regional Championships.