Marie Danais, CFPSA National Physical Fitness Coordinator, on her way to a 13th place finish at the CISM Triathlon Championships in Slovenia in July. She completed the circuit in 2:02:58.

For Marie Danais and Ben Ouellette, coordinators with PSP Division's Fitness Directorate, mornings involve more than taking a shower, grabbing a cup of coffee and heading off to work. For these two elite athletes, mornings also mean swimming for an hour at a nearby lake, taking a 40 kilometre spin on their bikes, or going for a quick 10 km. run.

Danais and Ouellette, who work for the Agency assessing and promoting physical fitness programs within the Canadian Forces, are making their mark on the world stage competing in several high profile triathlons. After racing in the Canadian National Championships in Drummondville, Quebec, they competed against the world's best at the World Triathlon Championships in Edmonton in late July. The field was made up of hundreds of triathletes from around the world, and Danias and Ouellette placed a respectable 16th and 50th in their age groups.

"Qualifying for the worlds was extremely difficult and getting selected is a great accomplishment," says Danais who is also a Captain with the 25 Medical Company in Toronto. "Getting the chance to represent Canada and the Canadian Forces in an international event against the worlds top athletes is a great honour."

Triathlon combines three traditional sports in a uniquely modern and tremendously exciting event. The sport tests endurance, all around physical and mental fitness and provides what is for many, the ultimate challenge. In Edmonton, the race consisted of a 1.5 km. swim, 40 km. on the bike and a 10 km. run. Danais finished with a time of 2:19:38. Not her best, but still a time the 30-year-old was proud of for her first world championship.

Ouellette finished with a time of 2:11:50. He admitted that he was not satisfied with his result and attributes his slower time to problems he had in the beginning of the race.

"At the start of the race I almost drown," said the 25-year-old. "The start of these competitions can be a real killer. Everyone's in the water kicking and swinging their arms, struggling to get out in front of the pack. This part of the race is often called the piranha swim because it's so dangerous. I was hit in the side of the head and had to pull off to the side for a few minutes."

Danais' other big highlight of the season was competing at the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Triathlon Championship held in Slovenia on July 5th where she finished 13th with a time of 2:02:58.

For the two triathletes, training for these elite sporting events can be a job in itself. Danais logs up to 16 hours a week running, riding and swimming and Ouellette puts in up to 18 hours a week. When Ouellette is training for an Ironman Triathlon (3.8km. swim, 180 km. cycle and 42.2 km. run) like the one he qualified for in Florida, he will train up to 24 hours a week.

Both feel that working for the CFPSA is an excellent fit for their active lifestyles. They say that their supervisors are very supportive of their training commitments and the Agency has given them the flexibility to compete at world class events. In return, their accomplishments have also benefited the Agency and has elevated PSP's profile within the Canadian Forces.

There's a direct relationship between competing in triathlons and what we do here at the CFPSA, says Danais. "When we're in training, we read and research a great deal to reach our peak physical performance. When we go out to various bases to discuss fitness and training programs we speak with authority and a deep sense of knowledge because we practice what we preach."

Ouellette also admits that they've built up some notoriety and have helped people achieve their own athletic goals. "People ask us all the time about what it's like to be a triathlete and how we got started," he says. "They're interested in knowing what kind of commitment it takes to remain competitive."

Both Ouellette and Danais continue to make great strides in their sport.

Watch for more achievements from this dynamic duo this season as they continue to hit the waves and roads in their pursuit of excellence.