I’ve had several people ask me how I got started in the world of triathlon, so I thought I would take a few minutes to share a little history. In the fall of 2008 I had a runner friend who invited me to run in a local 10k. I had been running for probably a year, but up until that time it was solely for exercise. I still remember toeing the line at the start of the race, my stomach in knots, adrenaline pumping, the anticipation eating away at me. It was not a huge race, maybe a few hundred people, but it was COMPETITION! I had always been very competitive, but after highschool sports were over, I lacked a necessary outlet for that drive. When I crossed the finish line, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I gave everything I had, and left nothing out on the course. I ended up running around 41 or 42 minutes, which was good enough to give me 1st place in my age group (there were only like 10 people in it though!).

After that I was hooked! My competitive spirit had been reawakened, and there was no going back. I began running not just for exercise, but for speed. I wanted to go faster! I pushed myself harder and harder, but my lust for speed ended up giving me tendinitis in my IT band. I ran in several other races, but my knee prevented me from going as hard or as far as I wanted.

I was even able to convince a few of my friends to join!

But my injury kept nagging me, and I was ready to do anything to heal it, without losing my fitness.  So I decided to pick up swimming.  About the same time I heard about an acquaintance of mine who finished an Ironman triathlon.  I was absolutely stunned!  I thought triathlons were only for elite athletes, I didn’t know they had them available for the “common man.”  I talked to this acquaintance and he informed me that he began his road to the Ironman by competing in smaller, local triathlons.  I did a little searching on the internet, found a small sprint triathlon, and signed up for it!  Up until that time that was the hardest thing I had ever done, and I wanted more.  I bought a wet suit and my own road bike, and signed up for an olympic triathlon set 3 months later.

The olympic was still not enough, and I signed up for a half-iron distance set 1 month later.  That race would push me to a level I had not previously known.  I had never swam, biked, or run that far, let alone done them all together.  I finished the race in just under 6 hours.  I crossed the finish line with tears in my eyes!

The next year I signed up for 5 triathlons, including Whirlpool Ironman70.3, which I finished in 5 and 1/2 hours!

This last summer I did 8 triathlons, and finished in the top 10 four times, including two 4th place finishes!!

It has always been my goal to complete an Ironman, but up until recently, I have not had the time to devote to training.  Unfortunately the pre-med lifestyle doesn’t really offer a lot of opportunities to train!  Now, however, I have the time, and I WILL make it happen.  I am excited to toe the line this summer at 2 more triathlons, Ironman Texas, and Ironman70.3 Muncie!  I will be an Ironman  3 years after starting triathlon.  

I hope this has been encouraging for your training!!