Tsitsi Merritt: Team USA Triathlete.

Tsitsi Merritt, an elite athlete competing this year’s International Triathlon Union World Championships. She is the 2018 North East Age Group Duathlon Regional Champion. Second Age Group National Champion in the Long Course Duathlon, Qualified for Team USA 2018 in three races. Nationally Ranked 59th Duathlete 2018. Through unrelenting challenges, including wellness challenges, injury and tragedy, Tsitsi has only been profiled to greater success.

Tsitsi grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa where it was not uncommon to travel multiple miles for daily activities- three miles to school, three to 5miles for supplies or water, three miles to church. Physical activity was part of daily life; however, Tsitsi’s love for running came later in life.

Fitness Journey

Moving to the United States meant changing lifestyles and eating habits. Coupled with the loss of her mother and becoming a single parent, changes to diet and activity led to 50 pounds of weight gain.

“I practically had to change my diet completely because my staples were not available. I had no idea about food groups, calories or fat content or that food could be unhealthy” The passing of my mom going through divorce and being a single parent came altogether and left me surviving but not living”

In 2012, Tsitsi change her story- through running and cycling. Starting with 5Ks and working up to marathons, followed by triathlons she set goal after goal always looking for the next challenge. She was awarded Rookie of the Year by Brooklyn Triathlon Club and Athlete of the Year by her peers of All Women/Men Triathlon club, and even coached others through the Black Girls RUN movement.

Injury and the road to recovery

In 2014, amidst training for an ironman 70.3, a vehicle while on her bike struck Tsitsi and everything came to a halt. Her racing carrier was shut down for a year and a half. Tsitsi did not let this terrible event stop her from the goals she set for herself. Instead of letting the depression overcome her, she set her sights back on what she loved.

“I believed then and I believe now that everything happens for a reason. I found out how strong I was. I have no regrets, Just gratitude”

In May 2016, she returned to racing at the Brooklyn Half Marathon, finishing under two hours, an encouragement that she was on the path to full recovery.

Tragedy

Just as she was overcoming her cycling accident, by sheer misfortune, Tsitsi and her son endured the violent and senseless Chelsea is bombing in New York City in September 2016. The two were driving home from an evening together when their vehicle was shattered within the blast zone. They miraculously walked away from the explosion but the emotional scars are crippling. Tsitsi explained, “I feel vulnerable up till this day. There is no place safe”

Determination

Despite all adversity, Tsitsi is unstoppable. Seeing life as an opportunity to represent others who have , in her words “no way out of the dark places or circumstances,” Tsitsi pushes to continue fulfilling her dreams and fighting for others. She coaches over 10,000 African women through an online fitness group, sharing all that she has learned through her own feats. “I believe everyone has greatness in them given the opportunity they will flourish”

Goals

Tsitsi has set a personal goal to realize her dream of representing the USA in the master’s world championship. Tsitsi also plans to

• Compete in a full Ironman.
• Compete at the ITU World Championships in Spain and Switzerland in the long and short courses.
• Ride across America with Great Americans Veterans Rally G.A. V.R taking place from June 13 2019 to the July 4 2019 weekend.
• Run Boston Marathon.
• Become a Duathlon National Champion.
• Continue to improve her running and cycling times.
• To recruit more women in to Triathlon and Cycling so she can have more training partners and friends.
• Develop her client base as a Strength and Conditioning Coach.
• Ride Leadville 100 Mountain Biking Race in Death Valley.
• Swim From Alcatraz to the Shore.

Tsitsi believes that dreams do come true! #teamusa, #DiasporaDelivers

Updated: Originally published in the Virginia 10Miler Race Guide Sept 28-29. 45th annual Lynchburg, Virginia