Father-daughter duo's New Year's resolution turns into quest for Ironman World Championship
So much for one and done.
When Clement Allen and daughter Jamila Allen made their New Year's resolution in 2009 to compete in a triathlon, they had no idea where their racing journey — and family bond — would take them.
"I was really hoping she was going to quit and I wouldn't have to do this and I could get back to my regular life," Clement Allen, 58, said and laughed.
Quit?
"There are some years I always think about it, maybe we should take a break," said Jamila Allen, 33, a former softball player at Chiles High. "I don't want to let him down. We both still love it.
"Every year he asks, 'What's the next race?' "
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'Regular life' features work and racing
The pair's 'regular life' features their respective professions.
Clement, a native of Augusta, Georgia, is an Associate Professor for the Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) at Florida A&M. Jamila is a dental hygienist.
Away from work, their days and weeks for the past 13 years have included triathlons (swimming, cycling and running in succession), marathons (26.2 miles) and road races like the popular Tallahassee Turkey Trot in Southwood.
This talented father-daughter combo is a familiar sight crossing finish lines.
They have also traveled nationally and internationally for races, competing together in the 2018 Isuzu Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.
Earlier this month, they completed Ironman Florida (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run) at Panama City Beach. Jamila finished in 13 hours, 20 minutes, 59 seconds; Clement in 15:53.18.
Neither placed in their age bracket, but the goal is to finish. The pair also implements different race-day strategies.
"I think as long as he crosses the finish line, he's okay," Jamila said. "Me, I beat myself up over my times. He's smiling, high-fiving. I am more in a zone, trying to place."
In April, Jamila was overjoyed when she raced in her first Boston Marathon. The historic event returned to its traditional Patriots' Day spot in the schedule for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019.
Allen crushed her goal of a sub-four hours time at 3:37.36.
Hooked on triathlons, lifestyle
Neither Clement nor Jamila thought a New Year's resolution more than a decade ago would turn into a lifestyle.
Yet it has.
It also has further strengthened their foundation of trust and support.
"Honestly, I didn't know where that came from," Clement said of his daughter's desire to compete in a triathlon. "It brought us closer, we kind of bonded. It's really neat that we've been able to get into a sport that we are doing together."
Mixing resolution with Google searches and training tips from others, the pair entered the Freedom Springs Triathlon in Marianna in the summer of 2009. The sprint distance of a quarter-mile swim, 10-mile bike, 3.1-mile run is considered ideal for rookie triathletes, which the Allens were at the time.
"Jamila placed third in her age group. I saw it in her eyes. She was hooked," Clement said.
Clement was hooked, too.
Together, the pair increased training (double-digit hours weekly) and distances over the years. There have been aches, pains and injuries, but they have also balanced the fine line between peak performance and fatigue.
"I pay attention to my body," Clement said. "I train hard, but I don't train excessively. I keep an eye on over-training."
The pair has completed nine Ironman races with the goal over the next three years to reach 12. That total would qualify them under the national organization's Legacy Program for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
The event has been held annually in Hawaii since 1978 and is considered one of, if not the toughest single-day race in sport.
"I may as well just ride it out," Clement said. "That's one of the reasons we do at least one (Ironman) a year. I told her I am not getting any younger."
'Has been a lot of fun'
The pair has been recognized locally for their racing prowess.
Clement was the Gulf Winds Track Club Male Triathlete of the Year in 2015; Jamila was the Gulf Winds Track Club Female Triathlete of the Year in 2016.
Their race schedules also feature plenty of variety.
They have competed in multiple Tallahassee Marathons, Turkey Trots (they are entered this year as well) and other established local events.
They are also eyeing the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
The pair has always been close. Clement coached Jamila in softball when she was a youth. Racing has brought them closer together as father and daughter.
And triathletes.
"It has been a lot of fun and it blows my mind every year that we are doing this" Jamila said. "He always tells me every year he's not getting any younger. He says we have to make it to 12 (ironman races to qualify for Hawaii). Every year, we just keep checking them off.
"I love seeing him on the course."
2022 Tallahassee Turkey Trot info
The Turkey Gobbler 1 mile race: 8 a.m.
The Turkey Trot 5K (3.1 miles): 8:30 a.m.
The Turkey Trot 10K (6.2 miles): 8:30 a.m.
The Turkey Trot 15K (9.3 miles): 8:30 a.m.
Registration: Online registration will remain open through midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 23. On-site race day registration and packet pick up will be available near the race start on Esplanade Way (near 4055 Esplanade Way).
Price: Nov. 14-23 $28 (shirt), $20 (no shirt). Race day: $35 (shirt), $25 (no shirt)
Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee father-daughter duo eyes Kona Ironman World Championship
