TRIFOR40's Group - Full

Username: trifor40 -- Jenna

Story: I'm a newbie myself, just starting my second year of tri-ing. I'm 40 years old now, nnd had NO athletic training or even interest before the age of 36. I am married and have two kids- 6 and 8 years old. I work at home. but have monthly travel in winter and weekly travel in summer. I'm a former smoker and I put on lots of weight after my kids were born, and eventually decided to get more active to take off the weight. I started with the Body for Life program (weights and cardio, with a simple whole foods eating plan.) I gained muscle with the program, pretty easily since I had very little to begin with, and sort of caught the fitness bug.

My daughter is a Leukemia Survivor, so two years ago I decided to raise money for Leukemia Lymphoma Society through Team in Training. I trained for a half marathon but got injured a month before the race. (Still met my FR goal though!) I was pretty bummed because I couldn't run-- so my husband actually suggested triathlon because he thought the cross training might be better for my body than the repetition of running. (He's a die-hard hockey guy and has zero interest in tri for himself, but is very supportive of me.) My response went something like this: "But I don't know how to swim and I haven't been on a bike in 20 years!" He said "Uh, you could take a lesson, you know."

So I did. Stated training last January with swim lessons (inspired by my fish-like daughter!), got a bike in April or May, found a beginners plan here at BT, and finished (at the back of the pack) two sprint tris this summer. Training: I try to follow the excellent plans here at BT-- started with a Beginner Spint plan, and now am trying a very ambitious (for me) winter training plan.

I had been swimming at our local high school twice a week, but realized I needed more. So now I'm trying for 4-5 x/week at our Y, and am re-learning swimming through the Total Immersion book. It's working!!! I run outside (love the cold) or on the TM at the Y. I bike on a trainer in the basement now, but not as much due to the focus on swimming. Swmming is the hardest discipline for me, bike is the easiest (aka most fun!) I lift and do core work at home, when I do it.

Races: Finished at the back of the pack two sprints last summer, but finished uninjured and with a smile on my face. Hope to do two sprints and an olympic-distance next season. I will always be slower than most people, but coming from no athletic background at all, and starting overweight and underconfident, I'm thrilled at my progress!

Weight: Eighteen months ago I was 184 lbs and 42% body fat by my home scale. My "racing low" this fall was 146 at 30% BF. I'm back up to 152 (not eating clean and way too much) but I still fit in my skinny clothes. (The true test, right?) I'd love to lose another 10% BF by next September.... but if I'm feeling good and strong, and still able to do this sport, I'll be happy just the way I am.

I'm not a huge poster here, but I check in daily, use the logs, and get lots of great information.