Run SMART coach Malindi Elmore has spent the last few years working hard to transition from professional track athlete into a competitive triathlete. Many great runners have tried and failed at this challenge. I think today officially marks the successful completion of this transition for Malindi.

In her first IRONMAN ever, Malindi placed third overall at the IRONMAN Arizona. Her official time was 8:57:22 [Full Results] This makes her the 61st fastest all-time IRONMAN female under 9-hours. As if this story couldn’t get any better, this was also the first time she’s ever run 26.2 miles. Undeterred, she split the marathon in 3:00:52, almost 10-minutes faster than both the 1st and 2nd overall female finishers.