Alison Boudreau, raised in the middle of five kids in Silicon Valley, still lives in Northern California, now with her husband, Todd. A non-athlete most of her life, Alison first got involved with Team in Training’s winter run team in 1999. Her idea was to give it a month. After successfully completing the challenging yet gorgeous Big Sur International Marathon well within the cutoff time, she was hooked!
She became a mentor with the Team in Training (TNT) 2000 summer run team, but this time Todd, then her boyfriend, and several friends joined her in the adventure. The entire group that she mentored signed up and finished the Dublin, Ireland, marathon amidst chilling rain, hail and enthusiastic spectators. Afterwards, being a seasoned TNT veteran, Alison set her sites on her next endurance challenge — Ironman Canada.
The TNT 2001 IronTeam — the third team in history made of 54 men and women — trained for 10 months in the San Francisco Area. Alison was the PR Captain and mentor. Only 10 participants in the group had never completed a triathlon before, including Alison and Todd. They didn’t even own bikes! Alison’s coach reminded her that being a great mentor wasn’t about how well someone did at a sport, but it was about motivation, inspiration, and above all, teamwork.
Alison completed her first triathlon, Wildflower Long Course, in the sweltering 95-degree heat at Lake San Antonio, Calif. She went on to complete just one more tri, Vineman half, before going on to achieve her dream of completing her first Ironman.
Professionally, Alison gained six years of human resources experience with an emphasis on customer service and employee relations. Her Organizational Psychology graduate work includes career coaching, mentoring, organizational dynamics and analysis, project management, facilitating group decision making, and motivational speaking. Alison conducted Life Coaching and Feng Shui sessions for co-workers and friends through the late ’80s and ’90s. She’s been helping others meet their athletic, personal and professional goals through her business, What’s Running You, since 2001.
Body
Presentation: Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference, Miami, Florida: The Experience of Self-Discovery and Mental Transition in Female Novice Runners in Connection to Long-Distance Running: A Descriptive Phenomenological Psychology Study
Head Marathon Coach, Co-founded local group and trained 150 runners to complete their first marathon. www.eastbayfit.net
Long-Distance Athlete, including an Ironman, two century bike rides, open water swims, five marathons and two 24-hour relay events. Here’s a sampling of events.Magazine Article: Irwin, J. (Feb. 2007 Cover Story). “A Race Well Run” 110 Magazine, 5 (37), 49-55. Note: My image appeared on this magazine cover shortly after I ramped up the Fame Area in my house. I added a lot of red, candles and sparkle in the bedroom.
Small Business Appreciation Award, Delta Women’s Connection. Quote: “This award is presented in celebration for your contributions to the community as a Life Coach and Feng Shui Practitioner. Your efforts and your success as an entrepreneur are recognized and are an inspiration to all women.”
Education
IronTeam Public Relations Captain, Leukemia Society: Generated innovative solutions for fundraising programs. Managed time-critical projects with limited budget. Raised $80,000 for cancer research by managing and inspiring volunteers.
Organizational Psychology Work