Finding inspiration for Ironman

I was 18 and had a job in the advertising office at Roth's IGA. I was inspired by the idea of the Ironman. It was the challenge to go beyond what I believed possible at the time. The race requires 2.4 miles (3.86 km) swim, a 112 miles (180.25 km) bike ride and a marathon (26 miles 385 yards, 42.195 km) run, raced in that order and without a break. The challenge is alluring and to this day, I feel the fire and passion race through me to prepare myself to match my strength and will against it.

Over the years, this dream has been neglected as responsibilities to provide for a family of five occupied all of my time and energy. I experienced several years of partial employment leading to debts and the fears that accompany it.

I started work for MonaVie and was approached by Tara and Rich from Human Resources asking if I would be interested in running in the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay. Tara mentioned seeing me running into work each day and asked if I was a runner. I explained that I had once been a runner and that I commuted on the bus to Sandy and ran 2 miles from the bus stop to MonaVie in South Jordan. At the time I didn't know that the race was a relay with 12 members running 3 times that were 3-8 miles each for a total of 188 miles from Logan to Park City. I wondered what I had got myself into and if I could really do this!

When I started, I could only run for about 5 minutes and would have to walk for a time before I could continue running. My ankles, knees, hips and legs would ache and complain and sometimes I could barely walk into work. Vince, a coworker who also is an ultra Marathoner told me to shorten my stride and to make sure that I didn't heel strike. I followed his suggestions and the pain began to subside.

I started running races and really enjoyed myself. I started looking for a trainer and found out that LifeTime Fitness offered a Triathlon class. It meets three times a week and the coach, Ryan Meyers leads a class in swimming, cycling and running. I saw a path to make my dream come true!

See Wasatch Back Relay Team to read about the race!