ow many years have you been doing triathlon for?

I had mentioned above that I started training for triathlon at the end of 2004. My first race was in 2005, so this is my third race season.

In August of 2004, I was 275 (I’m only 5’9″) so that is not good. I decided to start some sort of exercise a few days a week. After a few months, I had lost 20 pounds or so and I started losing interest in the working out. I mainly would run on the treadmill or lift some weights, nothing fancy.

My brother-in-law, Jeff Gardner, had been in the triathlon scene for a few years already and gave me the nudge to sign up for the SG Tri in 2005. That changed my workout schedule and made it more interesting. In fact, the first time I went swimming, I went 50 meters and was completely gassed. It took time to get in shape and that totally improved my weight situation. By the time the SG Tri rolled around, I was 175 and feeling great. We actually put together the inaugural Kanab Triathlon in June of 2005 and had a blast doing it. That race has since moved to the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center (SHAC tri) in St. George. That first race season, we went all over the place to do tri’s. From close to home in St. George to as far away as Cache Valley, I think we did something like 7 or 8 triathlons that year, not to mention several 10K runs, 5K runs, half marathons, and the St. George Marathon. It was a busy season. In 2006 we cut back on some of the travel but still were quite busy. I helped Jeff when he race directed the Kanab Tri (in St. George), Summer Games, and Kokopelli. Jeff and I are still going strong. Not like 2005 but we get plenty of triathlons, run races, and century rides accomplished. Well, thanks to Jeff, I got started with all this crazy stuff.

I love the bike. There is just something about getting on the bike and grinding it out. I like being able to go hard on the bike to make up for my lack of speed in the other two disciplines.

My philosophy is pretty simple. I try and do something each day. It doesn’t matter what it is, I try and do one of the three disciplines each day. I try and mix in weight training and core workouts when I can. I really don’t have a plan, it’s just get out and do it.

A typical week would go something like this:

Monday - Go to the gym in the morning and swim in the pool for around a mile or so and then change and do a spin class.

Tuesday - Go on a run outside for at least an hour. This time of the year, I go much longer as I need the miles to prepare for the marathon in Oct.

Wednesday - An outside bike ride for 1 to 2 hours.

Thursday – A shorter run and some weight training if possible.

Friday – Same as Monday.

Saturday – This time of year is long run season for marathon training. Any other time, Saturday is an anything day, whether it’s a bike ride or swim at the lake, it doesn’t matter.

Sunday – day of rest.

Now, sometimes I don’t get all this done and have to switch things up or I take an extra day off here and there to recover and rest, but that is pretty typical of what I do.

My most memorable race would probably have to be the SG Tri in 2005 because it was my first one and I had worked so hard to get to that point in my life that it was pretty rewarding to cross the finish line.

Really, they all are memorable because I love doing them and it’s fun to go with Jeff and compete. The crowds are fun and the people are always cool.

Finish the Ironman Arizona in 2008. Jeff and I are signed up and are hoping to have a good race down there.

I wouldn’t mind being able to pick a major event, like a 70.3 event or a full Ironman event each year and go experience it. Get some travel in and family vacation at the same time.

Possibly LOTOJA, I have two friends that have done that cycling event that last couple of years – so maybe I might join them and see what that is all about.

I speak French, so the Ironman France sounds interesting.

As usual, we will continue to enjoy each race season and try to improve somewhere in each race. That is really what keeps you going.