How it all got started

      I still consider myself a newbie triathlete even though I've been in a local triathlon club for a year now. I got started with running after my husband, Nathan, completed his first half marathon in 2011. I was so proud of him and inspired that I told him that day I was running the half marathon in 2012. I joined Weight Watchers and started running. It wasn't pretty at all. I couldn't run a quarter of a mile without almost retching or passing out.

     As the weight came off (52 lbs) and I worked at running I became stronger and healthier. I ran/walk my first half marathon in April of 2012 as I said I would. This race meant so much to me and I wasn't going to let anything stop me...even a hit 'n run by a Mini Cooper three weeks before the race!
This photo is from Nathan's first race (2011) and I still tell him he looks like a nerd wearing a sweatband. Maybe if I wear one of these I'll run fast like him???

  This is me in 2012 after I finished my first Derby Half Marathon and earned my first medal. On many training runs I couldn't believe I actually paid $$ to torture myself, but after the race I found myself looking for my next race. Crazy. 

     Unfortunately some health issues got in the way and I gained some weight back and slacked off on my running. I had to start over again and build back up. I became a certified Spinning instructor and started working at the YMCA to mix up the running, and I am still currently teaching classes.  After teaching indoor cycling for awhile I decided to start riding my Trek Fx Hybrid outside. I love riding my bike in the beautiful country. This photo below was taken when I rode over 10 miles and I was so pleased. I kinda wish I still had that bike. I sold it to a sweet girl (who is still riding this bike) over in Louisville. I actually passed her a few weeks ago while out riding...it was crazy! I sold it because I was told (by husband) you don't need more than one bike- BAD ADVICE haha!

     So now I run and bike. I have had a fascination with triathletes for a long time and it was in July of 2013 that I decided I wanted to become one myself. I did lots of research and online stalking to learn more about this sport. I watched the live feed for Ironman Louisville on my laptop on a Sunday in late August. I was mesmerized. 140.6 miles non stop in one day??? WoW! I remember watching a girl (that was about my size) run down the finish line chute and fall on her face. The girl in front of her turned around and helped her up and they both crossed the finish line. I had tears while watching this and was so inspired. NEVER GIVE UP!! I joined the local tri team (Louisville Landsharks) the following week.

     I went to my first group bike ride within a week and it was great. A crazy guy named Carlos was very helpful and taught me some riding skills. I can't say how many times I almost crashed trying to unclip my foot from the pedals. It was hard to keep up but it was a good push. I decided to upgrade my bike to a road bike like the others because they made it look so effortless (good decision). I went to the Mayor's Labor Day "Hike Bike and Paddle" and rode quite a bit with my new bike. It was terrifying because of all the people and I wasn't very steady. Somehow I managed to keep both wheels down, but I didn't bring any nutrition with me and had only one water bottle. I was scorched due to the heat, but we had a "brick" run after the bike ride. I learned what a brick was the hard way which is where you run immediately off the bike. I was dying!! It was so hot. I met a fellow teammate named Jessie that day. I owe her bigtime. She is the one who introduced me to my swim coach, Mike.

     I hated water. I despised the thought of swimming and just the smell of chlorine made me panic or want to retch. I first met with Mike on September 6th, 2013. I posted on facebook how nervous I was about swimming. The more I thought about it the more I became nervous and almost made a run for it back to the women's locker room. Just as I was about to make my break this tall guy said "hey Jennifer" with a smile. Dang. I can't run now. Mike and I talked for awhile before we hopped in the water which somewhat helped. He asked me to swim for him so he could see where to start. I tried my best to doggie paddle and not choke, and Mike knew right away the first lesson will be how to breath. I started out just putting my face in the water and blowing bubbles...so simple yet effective. Within one hour I could travel 25 meters...it wasn't freestyle but I was in water AND moving.

      I remember telling Mike that I was going to do Ironman Muncie 70.3 in July 2014 (10 months away). I could tell he was shocked but impressed that I even had the nerve to attempt it. I had A LOT of work to do. He gave me a highfive and we scheduled a lesson almost every Friday for awhile. Swimming was the hardest thing to learn because I was so terrified, but my new BFF (Best Fish Friend) Bill was so supportive and even took some lessons himself from Mike. It is great to have a pal that understands. I'm wearing the black cap in picture below. This was at the  Shelbyville Tri #1 (click here for race report).

     Now I swim (slightly better than a drowning spastic cat), bike and run! WooHoo! Lot of training to do, but time to start picking out my races! I better sign up for some short distance triathlons before tacking a half Ironman. My first race  was the Shelbyville Triathlon series starting in January and one race over the next 3 months. I registered for the tri series, Papa Johns 10 miler, the Derby half marathon, and few other races including Ironman Muncie! I was sitting on my couch with an ice pack on my left ankle when registering for all these races. I had what I thought was only a sprained ankle...who knew the cascade of injuries began with that. We will get into injuries in a different post, but these injuries rerouted my triathlon and racing plans for most of the season.