Julie Oh To Test Her 'Ironman' Strength In Triathlon Sunday

Despite the difference in time zones, weather climate and celebrity prevalence in Julie Oh’s life since moving from California to Rhode Island, there is definitely one constant that has remained in her life - her drive to compete in long distance races.

Oh, who has been an East Greenwich resident for almost five years, has competed in over 50 triathlons in her life, the first coming in 1988. This Sunday, she will compete in the Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island triathlon. The 70.3-mile race encompasses a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride, and finally a 13.1-mile run that ends on the State House lawn in Providence.

“It’s fun training for [triathlons],” she says. “It’s mentally challenging, but it’s something I can handle,” she says laughing, recognizing the great deal of work and commitment that goes into preparing for these events.

However, staying in race shape is no stranger to Oh, who has been involved in biking and running for most of her life.

When she was living in California, Oh met “Spinning” founder Johnny “G” Goldberg, who asked her to be one of the first instructors for his company, which has been around since 1989. Oh still teaches spinning classes today at the YMCA.

Along with being one of the pioneers for spinning, Oh started the "LA-Tri Club" in 2000. The triathlon club allows for members living around the Los Angeles area to connect with one another regarding training and upcoming races. Since the club was founded in 2000, it has grown to roughly 1,800 members and Oh believes that it is the biggest triathlon club in the country. 

Despite her prevalence in the athletic world, she is also a dental hygienist. When working out of a Beverly Hills office in California, she worked on the teeth of famous celebrities like Jennifer Anniston, Courtney Cox, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, to name a few.

“It was a good diversion from training,” Oh said.

Although she no longer has such a fast-paced, celebrity-filled life as in her LA days, it's the weather that proved the biggest adjustment she has had to make.

“It’s great training out here, it’s beautiful, the weather is great,” she said about the summer weather. “The winter’s are long" however. "I do like the snow, but it was really hard for me to get used to.”

The drop in temperature at the end of September forced her to adjust  her training regimen.

Oh recently competed in the Goddard Park Triathlon on June 26^th, and was the fourth-placed female finisher out of approximately 300 total participants.

However, this Sunday at the Ironman, the competition will be even more difficult, with a field of 1,500 participants and many more professional athletes.

Despite Oh’s high finish at the “Oh My Goddard” Sprint Triathlon, she prefers longer races. “I like the distance,” Oh said regarding the strenuous, yet different 70.3 mile course that she will race on this Sunday.

Julie is looking forward to the race and having her husband, Bob, son Luke and daughter Lindsey there cheering her on.

Check back with EG Patch on Monday for race results for Oh and other EG participants.