At the age of 25 Mallory Mead has already climbed the ranks of marathon swimming to become one of the foremost experts in her sport. Standing at 5'8 and weighing in a lean 145 lbs, it is hard to believe that she regularly pits herself against more experienced competitors, sweeping currents, and frigid waters.and wins. After competing in her first open water race by chance over 15 years ago, Mallory knew that she had found her niche.

Since then she has gone on to complete some of the most famous swims in the world, including becoming the 39th person in the world to complete the "Triple Crown" of open water swimming, the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (28.5 miles), the Catalina Channel (21 miles), and the English Channel (21 miles). She was recently featured in USMS SWIMMER magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

Mallory is also quickly making a name for herself as an open water coach. Her first coaching experience came when she started a small training group for triathletes and fitness swimmers at a gym in Indianapolis. In February 2011, Mallory accepted a coaching position with Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), the largest Master's swim team in the country, as their open water specialist. She also served as the Lead Clinician for the USMS National Open Water Showcase Clinic held in Noblesville, Indiana, in June 2011. In February 2011, Mallory is teaming up with Dream Costa Rica Swim Camps in Guanacaste, Costa Rica to offer a week-long open water swim camp that culminates in a race and sunset cruise.

Open water swimming is a life-long passion for Mallory, and she strives to share her passion and make a difference any way she can. In addition to coaching and competing, Mallory writes for publications and blogs such as the FINIS blog, Amateur Endurance, and USMS STREAMLINES and keeps an open water swimming-themed blog on her website,mallorymead.com. She advocates for children's health, water safety, and ocean conservation. She is a mentor, motivational speaker, race director (Swim For Kids' Sake Charity Swim, Culver, IN), and a volunteer observer for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation. In 2010, Mallory was one of the first recipients of the "Dottie York Scholarship," a fund created to support aspiring Catalina Channel swimmers that best embody the spirit of open water swimming. For more of Mallory's bio, see www.mallorymead.com.

During her presentation at TriLab, Mallory will talk about her major marathon swims and training regimen, give advice on competing in open water, and will finish with a question and answer session.

Light refreshments will be served.

Parking is available behind the store and on Pico (meters are free after 6:00 pm).