- September 21, 2024
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Christine and Jeff Martindale, Port Orange triathletes. Photo courtesy of Christine Martindale
Christine Martindale and her husband Jeff at their training station in their home. Photo by Tanya Russo
A bevy of medals, arranged from short to long distance races in which Christine Martindale has participated. Photo by Tanya Russo
Jeff Martindale watches his wife train. Photo by Tanya Russo
Christine Martindale bikes in a triathlon competition. Photo courtesy of Christine Martindale
Christine and Jeff Martindale cross the finish line together in Lake Placid, New York. Photo courtesy of Christine Martindale
Christine Martindale has a passion for health and wellness.
In addition to her full-time duties as the public information officer for the City of Port Orange, Martindale is an athlete who competes in triathlon events. She is not alone in her passion, however. Her husband, Jeff Martindale, is also an avid triathlon competitor.
Triathlons are racing competitions where an individual competes in three areas: swimming, biking and running. There are many different triathlon competitions, with the Ironman brand competition being one of the most famous. To participate in a full Ironman competition, one has to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles.
“For me triathlon is not just about a race,” Jeff Martindale said. “Triathlon is a lifestyle. It’s a healthy lifestyle of keeping your body physically fit, mentally fit, and also nutritionally fit. You have to have all of those together for it to really work well.”
Christine Martindale participated in her first full Ironman race in May 2012, in Texas. She has completed three full Ironman competitions since. Her husband has completed four.
“The biggest Ironman that people love to qualify and go to is in Kona, Hawaii,” Christine Martindale said. “If I do 12 total Ironman races, I am automatically in the one in Kona.”
DRC Sports is a different brand that creates olympic triathlon competitions. Jeff Martindale competed in the Jacksonville Triathlon, an olympic distance race. He was one of the top five competitors, which qualified him to compete for Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio in August.
Olympic triathlon competitions consist of 0.9 mile swim, 24.6 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run.
“We have done countless of all the other distances,” Jeff Martindale said. “Triathlon isn’t a one distance thing. There’s short, medium, long legs. We’ve done them all, as Chris’s medals show.”
One of the most memorable races for the couple was The Challenge, a half Ironman competition held in Lake Placid, New York in 2018. The couple participated together. Despite different start placements, Jeff Martindale caught up with his wife during the last half-mile and they finished at the same time. They crossed the finish line holding hands.
Christine Martindale started swimming at 10 years old and hasn’t stopped since. She belongs to a group of Master swimmers who get up at 5 a.m. and work out at the Port Orange YMCA, where they swim laps until after the sun comes up.
She says training is what she enjoys the most. She is a social person and likes to be involved with groups who share her interests. She also runs with a running club.
Jeff Martindale loves the thrill of the chase, and racing is what he is all about. The couple has specialized stationary bikes in their workout and office room. The bikes are connected to computerized simulators which mimic actual road conditions and environments of race courses.
Following a strenuous training routine, the couple will wrap their legs in compression leggings designed to stimulate blood flow. It helps with recovery from the long trainings.
