Today we are spotlighting our very own Chandler Carranza!
This guy is a SUPERSTAR in every sense of the word! He was ON FIRE for the 2024 race season and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon!
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM:
July 2024
This guy is a SUPERSTAR in every sense of the word! He was ON FIRE for the 2024 race season and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon!
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM:
July 2024
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON:
My first Triathlon was 2006
My first Triathlon was 2006
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
I was always in athletics since 3rd grade and wrestled in college at Duquesne University. Once I completed my senior season, I was no longer competing in a sport so I just worked out at the Pittsburgh YMCA. I befriended my kickboxing instructor who also was the events coordinator for the Y. He was running a triathlon clinic that needed extra participants. All I knew was an Ironman so when he asked me to sign up and he would pay for my first race I thought it was quite a deal. It was not an Ironman but a regional sprint. Despite not being a huge race, I got hooked. One of the appeals of triathlon was that it wasn’t a popular sport in the area and I like being different. Later that year I moved to Central PA which had a lot more races nearby. I would sign up for any race I could do, but didn’t put in the proper training. I still did well locally and qualified for nationals but couldn’t afford to travel at the time. After a break from 2013 -2015 due to life, I got myself back into the sport. In 2019 I had the opportunity to go to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for a Fantasy Camp and this is where my triathlon journey improved exponentially. Plus it is where I met Cheryl Perry who invited me to the Team breakfast at IM Texas this year, introduced me to Steve and convinced me to join Valhalla. After the triathlon camp I was inspired and took a lot away from it. My performance has improved every year and I have gotten faster than I was in my 20’s when I first started. As a result I have been able to use triathlon to travel the world with Team USA and qualifying for IM70.3 Worlds the past 4 years.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
Pinehurst International Triathlon – first race of the season since I moved to NC 7 years ago, always see a lot of familiar faces/friends and very competitive.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
Placing this year at all three Nationals 40-44 Age Division
– USA Triathlon Long Course National Champion (also my first race score of 100+)
– USA Triathlon Sprint Nationals – 7th Place
– USA Triathlon Multisport Nationals
– 1ST PLACE Individual Medley Triathlon
– 2ND PLACE Super Sprint Time Trial Duathlon
– 3RD PLACE Super Sprint Time Trial Triathlon
– 3RD PLACE Draft Legal Sprint Duathlon
– 3RD PLACE Standard Duathlon
– Multisport Master
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
I have been very fortunate to not have had many challenges with the sport compared to the inspirational stories I have seen from others.
I have been very fortunate to not have had many challenges with the sport compared to the inspirational stories I have seen from others.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
Ice Cream
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE –
I was a 12 year professional in the liquor industry but resigned in January 2024. I held a variety of positions for different portfolios and was even a buyer for the Liquor Control Board. However my last position burned me out so quit. I am now a Health and PE teacher at an alternative school for Gaston County Schools and working on my teaching certification. To help make ends meet I also AirBnb rooms in my home and rent out cars through Turo. I am also beginning to launch a liquor brand concept in 2025. So you could say I am a teacher with a few side hustles… LOL!!!
Triathlon not only got me to travel the world, but also led me to meet my partner Kel-lee. We met in her hometown in Townsville, Australia while I was there competing at Multisport Worlds. We had our first date the Sunday after the first week of competitions and I was supposed to travel from Townsville to Sunshine Coast during the week between races to do some sightseeing during what I thought would be my only trip to Australia. After one day apart, I turned the car around back to Townsville and we have been together (although long distance) ever since. With 2024 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in New Zealand and 2025 World Triathlon Finals in Wollongong, triathlon has continued to provide opportunities for me to see her a little more frequently than otherwise. Ironically, had I not made the career change, I probably would not have had the time off to do the triathlons that led me and keep bringing me back to her and for that I am extremely grateful to the universe.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I am a fan of musical theater, can sing and even tried out for American Idol.
I am a fan of musical theater, can sing and even tried out for American Idol.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
Although I have only been on the Team a short time and am a few states away, I have felt connected and love the support.
Although I have only been on the Team a short time and am a few states away, I have felt connected and love the support.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Bee Authur on the Golden Girls (I don’t read much to have a favorite).
Bee Authur on the Golden Girls (I don’t read much to have a favorite).
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Honestly I don’t have favorites of anything. I am all about new experiences so try to go to different places or try different things whenever possible.
Honestly I don’t have favorites of anything. I am all about new experiences so try to go to different places or try different things whenever possible.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
My Pap… he was always there for me, showed me how to be a responsible man, taught me that family is everything and was a fighter all the way to the end.
My Pap… he was always there for me, showed me how to be a responsible man, taught me that family is everything and was a fighter all the way to the end.
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
I plan on trying to qualify for Kona 2026, complete my teaching certification, launch my liquor brand concept and wake up with giraffes outside my window when I visit Australia in October (yes that last one is a plan for Kel-lee and I).
I plan on trying to qualify for Kona 2026, complete my teaching certification, launch my liquor brand concept and wake up with giraffes outside my window when I visit Australia in October (yes that last one is a plan for Kel-lee and I).
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
My motto since 2019 has been YOU CAN ALWAYS TRI
My motto since 2019 has been YOU CAN ALWAYS TRI
