Heather Lendway

Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, I began swimming competitively at the age of eight. Earning All-State honors in high school motivated me to continue swimming in college. Attending Macalester College, just a mile from home, I enjoyed more success as a repeat All-Conference winner and five time Conference Champ. Junior and senior year I qualified for the Division III National Championship earning All-American Honors both years by placing top 16 in the 1650 freestyle. My senior year I was named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Swimmer of the Year, as well as the Macalester College Athlete of the Year.

In my years at Macalester I also joined the Varsity Water Polo team. Junior and senior year I was voted most valuable defensive player for the team and also received All-Conference honors.

In May of 2006 I graduated from Macalester with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science along with a minor in Statistics. I accepted a position working in IT at Securian Financial Group in downtown St. Paul, where I’m still working today.

Fall of 2007 I began coaching, as an assistant, for the girl’s High School swimming team at Highland Park and St. Paul Academy. That winter I accepted the position of head coach for the boy’s team (coached for six years) and the next fall I became the girl’s head coach as well (coached for four years).  During the summers in college I took time off from swimming and used the opportunity to begin running and working out at the gym. As time went on though I began to miss being in the pool.

In Fall 2010, getting bored with the usual workout routine at the gym, I decided my swimming hiatus was over and I got back in the pool.

Being a swimmer and a “runner” people always told me I should try racing triathlon but I had never owned a bike. In June of 2012 I finally bought a bike and within days I had signed up for my first triathlon, just a few weeks later. After placing 3^rd in my first triathlon I signed up for another race and by the end of the year I had raced six times, placing no lower than 3^rd.

After a relatively successful first season racing in basic gear I decided it was time to upgrade. Over the winter I acquired some more serious equipment along with a bike trainer to continue training throughout the winter. My 2013 season consisted of 10 wins, including the USAT Olympic Distance National Championships, along with 2 second places, racing distances from sprint to half iron distance.

Towards the end of the 2013 season I was fortunate to connect with Kevin O’Connor, a long time triathlete and the owner of Gear West Bike & Triathlon, who has since provided me with much guidance when it comes to bikes, gear and racing.

When not working or training I enjoy travelling (typically solo) to places throughout Europe. Some of my favorite destinations have been Cinque Terre, Rome, Prague and Istanbul. Check out my photo albums to see some of the places I’ve been.

A proud Macalester alumnae, I have enjoyed staying connected and involved with the college. In 2011 and 2012 I was a volunteer swim coach and water polo coach for the school and I currently serve as one of the Co-Chairs of the Young Macalester Alumni Connect (yMac) committee that coordinates events for local young alumni.

Still residing in St. Paul, I’m close with my family, Mom, Marylynn, Dad, Greg, younger brother Stephen and older sister Lisa; I’m lucky to have them in the twin cities with me.