After 25 years as a competitive runner, I began having numerous injuries from running. My running coach, Tom Clifford, recommended that I start cross-training and asked me if I had ever considered doing triathlons. At first I laughed about it and thought he was CRAZY. I told him I didn't think I could do it. He kept encouraging me to try it. To be honest, I was a little "afraid" of the bike and swim. So, I just told myself, I would start "training" as if I were going to do a triathlon. I trained hard during the summer of 2009 and did my first tri on 9/12/09, The Dash for Divas at White Lake. I was shocked that I came in 8th overall and first in the masters out of 440 women (and I blew the first transition pretty badly). I am now hooked! I enjoy the challenges and the training for the 3 different events, and I feel that it gives my body a better overall workout than just running alone.
B. How you balance training, family, work, and life in general:-)
This is probably the toughest part. I work probably 60-80 hours per week, traveling all over N. America with my day job. I also am a leader and distributor for Chews-4-Health which takes a lot of hours every week as well. I am married with a 13 year old, so it is difficult to juggle it all. But I've found that I just MAKE time to train. I do my long workouts on the weekends because I just can't take the time during the week. I typically get my 1-2 hours/day in either early in the morning, at lunch, or sometimes in the evenings if I have to. My tri coach, Tom Clifford, helps because he lines up my run/bike/swim workouts onto Training Peaks (online scheduling program) during the week which is a HUGE help because it takes a lot of the "thinking" out of it for me. Without that, I would not work as hard or find it too easy to blow off the workout on a busy day. I look at it as "here's what I HAVE to do today to stay on track". And, I think my family has learned that I'm a lot nicer when I can get those endorphins flowing by getting my workouts in. Otherwise, I might be a CRABBY PATTY! LOL!
C. Good Training Tip
I think the best tip I've learned is to "listen to my body". Pain is an indication that something isn't right or is over-used. I used to be of the philosophy, "no pain, no gain", but the older I've gotten, the more I realize that it's better to back off a little and let the issues settle down a bit, otherwise, I'm flirting with a situation that can become chronic!
D. Races that you are most proud of and why
1. Dash for Divas because it was my first ever triathlon. I had NO expectations going in, and we so pleased to have finished 8th overall and first masters.
2. Beach2Battleship 2008 - I participated in a team tri, and this was my first ever full marathon
3. Battleship Half 2006 - this was my best PR for a half marathon
4. Steven Haydu St. Patrick's Day 10K 2008 - this was my best PR in a 10 K
E. Inspirations and any inspirational quote that you may have
1. "If you think you can't, or you think you can... either way, you're right!"
2. "Running smart supercedes running hard!"
3. "Your attitude determines your altitude!"
4. "Work each day as if you were working yourself out of a job!" (My dad, Jimmy Ramsey)
5. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see!" (Hebrews 11:1)
6. "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)
7. "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.. they shall mount up with wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31 - this is also the scripture that relates to my name in the Bible)