Public Employee Press

Sometimes the Ironman is an Ironwoman

Swimming in the Hudson River, biking 112 miles and finishing with a marathon-length run of 26.2 miles - it's the grueling Ironman Triathlon.

But sometimes the Ironman is an Ironwoman.

DC 37 staff toasted Bookkeeper Asli Gallo Aug. 13, two days after the 40-year-old single mother completed the New York City/New Jersey area's first Ironman race in record time for a first try - 14 hours and 50 seconds.

"You did something very remarkable," Associate Director Oliver Gray told Gallo. Controller Alvin Warshaviak noted that the union and Gallo's co-workers were fully behind her in her quest to complete the triathlon. The union sponsored Gallo in the event, and she proudly wore DC 37's logo on her jersey, hat and helmet.

As a young woman growing up in Turkey, Gallo competed in long distance swimming meets and was a national champion in her age group, but she never rode a bicycle. After she came to the United States 14 years ago, she saw a YouTube video of the Ironman and first felt, "No way
I could do that," but quickly decided, "I really want to do it."

Training was intense, starting with learning to ride her bike and including 5 a.m. gym workouts and lunchtime exercises. Working full-time as she trained, she also attended school full-time, earning master's degrees in accounting and taxation. She also also was active in the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Near the finish line Aug. 11, she slowed down to hear herself proclaimed an "ironman." On Sept. 9, Gallo and her daughter Melissa, 11, will bike together in the NYC Century Tour of a mere 35 miles.

"You create your future by thinking about it," she said. "You think about a goal and make it part of your actions."