From Pool to Open Water
Five tips to make the transition easier

Making the transition from swimming in clear, chlorinated, brightly lit pool water to the murky, strange-tasting, chilly open water can be a hard one. But, as most triathletes come to understand, to compete in this sport sooner or later you’ll have to “go jump in a lake,” or maybe even an ocean. Here are five ways to prepare for that first outdoor swimming venture.

Acclimation
The joy of racing in a pool comes from swimming in a temperature-controlled environment and being able to see. Don’t expect such niceties where open water swimming is concerned. Know open water temps are usually chilly, but that’s not a bad thing. Fast swimming is done best in cold water. Embrace the chill and move it. The faster you swim, the warmer you’ll get. Not being able to see clearly in open water is usually what freaks out newbies the most. Do not panic: First, no one else can see that well either, and two – you can do something about it. If you have the chance to swim in open water prior to your first competition; go for it. Once you’ve had the experience of swimming in a bit of murkiness, the fright factor diminishes greatly. Many opt for clear goggles as opposed to smoke or colored lenses. Shaded goggles in churned up water equals poor vision.

Staying oriented
The second and third areas to prepare for go along with becoming acclimated to swimming in non-pool water. During an open water swim, it is imperative to stay on course. Common sense tells us swimming straight to the finish will result in a faster time and more energy conserved as compared to swimming crookedly, resulting in tired frustration.

Triathlons in open water often have participants swim to and around a buoy, then back to shore where the event started. Others have swimmers do a straight swim across an open body of water with the finish being a flagged point on the horizon. Experienced tri-athletes, especially those who are good swimmers, head for the front of the pack to avoid flailing arms and legs, and so they can see as they swim. If you are a strong swimmer, get to the front if the race is not divided and staggered based on entered times.

Open water
breating techniques Experienced triathletes also utilize bilateral breathing — breathing to both sides in order to stay orientated. This balances one’s stroke and affords the opportunity to look both right and left to check for landmarks — like the shore line or breaker walls — both resulting in straighter swimming.

If you find yourself in the pack, follow the swimmers in front, and then lift your head forward just before you take a breath to check where you’re going. This is not to say one should swim with your head out of the water as it takes way too much energy to pull this off efficiently. Instead, take that sneaky-peeky breath, then get that face back in the water.Taking the sneak peek every 10 or so strokes should help you stay orientated so you know where you are and where you are going.

Switching to breaststroke for a few strokes, where the breath is naturally forward, is also an option.

Good swimming
manners
Those in the water want to accomplish the same thing you do: get from point A to point B before everyone else. With that said, this does not mean at any cost. If someone is trying to pass you, and they are clearly a stronger swimmer, maintain your speed and permit them to pass. Cutting someone off will only come back to haunt you – same goes for the bike and run portion of the race. Know polite swimmers will warn you they are about to pass by touching your feet - the universal signal in competitive swim practices to alert someone they are about to be passed. As Jean-Luc Picard might say, “Make it so” by permitting it to happen. The person will no longer be riding up behind you and, hopefully, you’ll get back some water space.

Freestyle stroke
technique
In open water, one’s freestyle Stroke Technique might also need to be altered. The high elbow recovery where the hand is close to the surface of the water — the technique many competitive swimmers use - is not always the best option. With others stroking and creating choppy water — let alone the waves that often accompany an open water swim — a high elbow recovery might cause your hand to never leave the water. Instead, many triathletes use a straight-arm recovery enabling the hand to completely clear the water so a full extension and pull can take place. Way more efficient; way faster.

Becoming acclimated to open water swimming is a must for triathletes. Experience is the best teacher, so sign up and get in the water. It will be over before you know it!

Susan Mellish, a freelance writer from Lisbon, is the head coach for both the YMCA/USA Youngstown Y-Neptunes and the Firestone Area Swim Team.

^ TOP

On Your Mark
A work in progress
by Stacy Rhea

Without a goal, vision or perseverance an athlete would be inert in his or her quest to enhance and improve their sport performance.

Athletes are not the only people who have goals. Goals are a universal must for any person or business that plans to succeed. The team that produces Ohio Sports & Fitness has goals and visions. For two years we have worked diligently to enhance editorial content, build awareness and produce a top-quality publication. Our perseverance is about to pay off.

A quick flip through the pages of this issue will show you our appearance has changed significantly. From our new, all-glossy look, coupled with the new energetic layouts created by TNT Publication’s new designer, Stephanie Park, and our affiliation with the Endurance Sports Media Group, OS&F is full of energy and the information you need for a competitive advantage.

Ohio Sports & Fitness’s new design elements are just the beginning of our vision.

In the next few months, OS&F will have a new Web site. Our new site will roll out in phases. The first phase will include a user-friendly events calendar that will include race results. At this time, we are uncertain if the race results will be part of Phase 1 or Phase 2.

A new feature on the Web site, one that I feel is extremely important to the active community in general, will be the Latest News section. If you want to know what’s going on in the community, OS&F will be your one-stop Web site. I will update this section with the news releases I often receive.

Phase 2 of the Web site will include product reviews, and new and expanded editorial content. Special thanks to the readers who took the time to share their thoughts and ideas with us.

As part of our progress, we have decided to rename a few of our monthly columns.

Living Fit will become Nutrition Matters. Nutrition plays an essential role in our daily lives, thus it matters a great deal. The nutrition column will also have a new editor, Katherine “Kate” Mone, RD, LD.

To learn more about Kate and her nutrition philosophies, visit www.ohiosportsandfitness.com. Look for Kate’s first column in the August issue.

Fitness Matters will be renamed Fitness Focus, an appropriate name for a column that focuses on a variety of fitness topics.

The monthly editor’s letter has a new title, too. On Your Mark will kick of each month’s issue and lead readers to the core columns and features of the month.

Stay tuned for more work-in-progress updates.

^ TOP

Heard on the Run
Local shops win 2009 retail award

Congratulations to Century Cycles, Eddy’s and Spin for being named to the Top 100 Bicycle Retailer rankings for 2009 by Boulder Sports Research, a research firm that specifically researches the cycling, outdoor and fitness markets.

These three shops, according to Boulder Sports Research, were voted as the leaders among 5,000 specialty bicycle retailers in the U.S., and were recognized for their excellence in community outreach, store appearance and market share.

In addition, Century Cycles and Eddy’s have received the Five Star Award for receiving the Top 100 Bicycle Retailer Award five years in a row. According to the Boulder Sports Research Web site, the Top 100 Bicycle Retailer Shops are determined through the opinion of local sales representatives who know and visit the retailers on a regular basis.

For more information, visit www.bicycleresearch.com/top100/Top100Methodology.html.

^ TOP

In the Long Run
Hit the pool for a different workout
by Elizabeth Hansen

The focus of this month’s Ohio Sports and Fitness is summer sports. The topic – pool running – made me think of my high school track days when we would use the pool once a week for deep-water running drills. That was the one workout where sprinters and long-distance runners alike were in the pool doing drills as a team. While most of us can’t get a group together in the pool for drills like butt kickers, high bounds, and group wave pools for resistance, pool running can be a great cross-training or rehab tool for runners.

Pool running is done in the deep end of the pool. Runners can use a flotation belt to enhance their workout, but the workouts can be done without a flotation device. Although effective, pool running is not all that popular. It is mentally tough for a runner to spend a lot of the time in a pool going nowhere, but there are a few situations where pool running can be a useful tool for a runner. Most commonly, pool running is used as a cross-training tool for those having trouble holding high mileage and by those nursing running injuries. Pool running can be great for the aging athlete and pregnant runners as well.
While these workouts help maintain, and possibly increase, cardiovascular fitness it should be noted that time away from regular running will detrain the running muscles.

“Not all injured runners can get into the pool for this type of training. A runner with a hip flexor injury may be made worse by doing a pool workout - so it is not necessarily a safe haven for all injured runners,” said Dr. Nilesh Shah, medical director at Summa Health System.

Local runner Maria Hydell regularly uses pool running as a way to keep her fitness high while avoiding injury. She said after a hard track workout or race she will go to the pool and do 20-30 minutes of pool running for a nonimpact recovery workout.

If you are looking for a new workout to increase the total intensity workload of your training while minimizing the risk of injury you should consider the Summa Health System Water Cross Training Program for Runners. Dr. Nilesh Shah and physical therapist Ellen Walker have put the program together. The program is offered at the Summa Wellness Institute in Hudson and at the YMCA in Green.

If you are currently injured and you would like to give pool running a try check out the Pfitzinger program highlighted by Running Times last May. It is a nine-week program for an injured runner who was told not to run for eight weeks. (Available at http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=6032).
One way to make pool running more enjoyable might include taking a friend or two with you. If you can get your friends to join you, add some games to the workout such as a run where the friend in back works harder to get to the front of the line. Bring music to your solo pool runs via waterproof headphones or convince the pool to play some good tunes. Many runners just get in the pool and run for time. Instead, treat your pool running like a track workout and include intervals and changes of pace to spice it up.

Local pools that can be used for pool running include the Natatorium Health and Fitness Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Twinsburg Fitness Center, Orange High School (closed in the summer) and Westlake Recreation Center (you must be a member or guest). I personally have seen runners doing pool running at the Downtown Cleveland YMCA and Beachwood Jewish Community Center.

While most runners prefer to be out running in the summer, sometimes cross-training is needed to improve or maintain fitness. While it is understood more running will lead to running better, not every athlete can maintain an elite level of mileage and training. Thus, pool running is one of the best cross-training workouts a runner can do because of its specificity to running muscles.

Elizabeth Hansen is an environmental consultant in Cleveland. She has been running for more than 15 years.

^ TOP

Summer Gear Guide
Great things to try this summer

What’s hot?
Summer is, and so are the products featured in this month’s gear guide. We have
you covered from head to toe with the latest items that are hot in local retail stores.

Adidas Shield Sunglasses, $100 The futuristic design of the Shield and its cool color range offer multi-sport athletes light-weight eyewear with a wraparound lens for an all-around field of vision and great protection against sun, dust and wind. www.adidas.com. Available at Second Sole, Rocky River		Cateye Strada Double Wireless  (Cyclometer), $100 Wireless takes on a new meaning with the Strada Double Wireless cyclometer, complete with nine essential features, including cadence, trip distance and current speed. Unit mounts quickly to any rear chainstay. www.cateye.com Available at Eddy’s Bike Shop
Zoot Sports Flash Wetsuit, $200 The Flash features new patterns and lightweight, super-stretch neoprene with a slick hydrodynamic coating to reduce friction and keep you fast and comfortable. This full-length wetsuit comes in men’s and women’s sizes and is a great deal for newbies. www.zootsports.com. Available at Fleet Feet, Northfield		Asics Gel  Nimbus 11, $125 With the addition of new comfort-centric lightweight uppers, the Gel Nimbus 11 is a popular training shoe. The lighter midsole offers a significant drop in weight. The new Asymmetrical Lacing Design adds comfort for any run. www.asics.com Available at most local running stores
Trek Madone  5.2, $4,070 Value and high-performance are combined to create one of Trek’s popular road bikes. Top-tier components from Shimano and Bontrager deliver quick shifting and race-ready performance. www.trekbike.com Available at Eddy’s Bike Shop		Vibram FiveFingers Footwear, Sprint $75 Enjoy going barefoot. FiveFingers stimulate the muscles in your feet and lower legs to build strength and improve range of motion. These unique shoes are versatile and provide protection and a sure-footed grip through the Vibram sole. Available in a variety of colors and styles. For more information, visit the site. Available at Vertical Runner, Hudson

^ TOP

Race Previews
Muddy Paws: Grab your pup and run
by Elizabeth Hansen

It was Vince Rucci’s love of animals that led to the founding of the Muddy Paws Race three years ago.
Since then, Rucci, owner of Vertical Runner, has helped raise awareness and money for the Summit
Humane Society while simultaneously allowing dog lovers to race with their canine friends.

The race raised $5,000 last year and the proceeds are being used to maintain the current facility while
additional funding is being sought for building a new location. There were 300 total participants between the 5 & 10-mile trail races and the 2-mile trail run with your dog.

This race boasts the “toughest course around...no bones about it,” according to Rucci. The course is
on beautiful and scenic trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and starts and finishes at Pine Hollow off of Quick Road.

“This is a great introductory trail race for those new to trail running and challenging enough to give the veterans their trail fix,” Rucci said.

The Muddy Paws race is on July 11, at Pine Hollow Trail Head in the Cuyahoga National Valley Park. The
trail is 10 and 5 miles, and if you enjoy running with your dog, there’s a 2-mile course too. The 2-mile starts at 7 a.m., and the 5 and 10 mile races start at 7:30 a.m.

For more information and registration fees, visit www.verticalrunner.com/muddypaws/index.html or call
Vertical Runner, 330-656-1176.

^ TOP

Live to Tri
The Triple T: a race of endurance
by Angela Ridgel, Ph.D.

	Eric Giff of Avon, left, completes the American Triple-T Ohio

There is an epic endurance race that takes place every year in Shawnee State Park in Portsmouth called the American Triple T. This event, directed by HFP Racing, includes four triathlons in three days and it covers more than 140 miles. Participants can either do all events solo or as a team. However, both athletes on a team have to complete all four races.

Many Northeast Ohio athletes have raced this event, including Eric Gibb, a member of Snakebite Racing who successfully completed the Triple T held May 22-24.

Race #1: Prologue

Starting Friday evening, athletes begin with a 250-meter swim, a 5-mile hilly bike and a 1-mile run. Although this looks like a short race on paper, it is a fast-paced and challenging preview of the coming events. This race is unique in that the beginning of the swim is a two-person send off so the course does not get too crowded with the more than 400 people who race. On his blog (trierictri.blogspot.com/), Gibb wrote that he enjoyed the prologue and used it to get the feel for the coming races.

Race #2: Individual Time Trial

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, athletes complete a 1,500-meter swim, a 24.8-mile hilly bike and a 6.55-mile run. This race is pretty close to a standard Olympic-distance triathlon. As in the prologue, the time trial start allows for fewer people in the water at once and on the rest of the course. Gibb said the bike was very challenging with some fast and curvy downhills and a couple of steep uphills.

Race #3: Team Triathlon

No rest for the weary in this event. After a quick break, athletes repeat the morning distances in a different order, bike-swim-run, at 3 p.m. Saturday. Individuals who are part of a team must start and finish with their partner. The company of their team member helps give the extra motivation they need to complete the second triathlon of the day. An added benefit of a team is the ability to draft on the bike with your partner. Gibb said keeping a conservative pace is critical in this race to conserve energy for the next day’s half-ironman.

Race #4: Team Time Trial

On the final day, the Triple T finishes with a half-ironman distance triathlon including a 1.2-mile swim, a 55.5-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run. After the swim, they are faced with another hilly bike course. The run is also very hilly until mile 10, and the last 3 miles of the run are downhill. Athletes who complete the race receive a finisher’s medal and a T-shirt.

Gibb said he enjoyed the camaraderie of this race and the course’s well-designed scenery. He also said this was the best HFP race he has ever done. The 2010 event will take place May 21-23 and registration will open Nov. 1. Sign up early because this race will close.

Angela Ridgel, Ph.D., is a neurobiologist and a certified personal trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine. Ridgel is an assistant professor of exercise science at Kent State University. She has competed in sprint-, Olympic- and half-ironman distance triathlons since 2001.

^ TOP

Outdoor Adventure
The rush of whitewater rafting
by Dave Herpy

Rush of Water, Adrenaline

	Friends and family of Outdoor Adventure Editor Dave Herpy tag along for the ride on his rafting trip down the Lower Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park, PA. Pictured left to right on the raft are Courtney Herpy (Dave's wife), Trent and Trevor Saxsa of Columbus (Dave's friends) and Mike Herpy (Dave's brother).

One of my favorite summer pastimes is whitewater rafting. It’s an outdoor recreational activity that almost anyone can enjoy, regardless of experience or skill. It’s also a good way to enjoy the outdoors with family, friends or organized groups. Not only are you surrounded by forests and mountains as you raft down the river, but it also provides great physical activity, not to mention a huge adrenaline rush.
There is nothing quite like the rage of whitewater as you raft through rapids.

While whitewater rafting can be a very enjoyable activity for the whole family, there are some very important safety considerations with regards to knowing basic river anatomy, common hazards and rescue situations. The most important consideration is having the proper knowledge and equipment. While the majority of people who go whitewater rafting probably know very little to nothing about rafting on moving water or have the proper equipment, they rely on the guiding services of a commercial whitewater rafting company.

If you go whitewater rafting, the guide company you use will brief you on common hazards and river anatomy, including downstream Vs and upstream Vs. Downstream Vs are what you want to aim for when rafting through rapids. They are created when the current flows between two rocks on either side. This will generally allow you to move through the rapids without getting hung up on the rocks.

Upstream Vs are created when the current flows around a single rock in the river. You want to avoid upstream Vs, as you will most likely get hung up on the rock. If you do end up in the water, you should attempt to get back in your raft as quickly as possible with the help of others in your raft. If you can’t get back in the raft and end up swimming, you should float on your back with your feet up out of the water pointed downriver.

Other hazards include strainers and undercut rocks. Strainers are downed trees and branches that typically end up on the sides of the rivers or lodged between rocks. Strainers are extremely dangerous, as the water flows through them, trapping anything that floats on the water and should be clearly avoided. Undercut rocks, such as the notorious Dimple Rock on the lower Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle, Pa., are caused by water flowing underneath them and can trap anything, including rafts, gear and people, depending on the water levels. Both strainers and undercut rocks are affected by current water levels, which are affected by the amount of rainfall or dam releases.

The closest places to go whitewater rafting are the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle, Pa., and the New River Gorge in Fayetteville, W.Va. Ohiopyle is a three-hour drive from Northeast Ohio, accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. There are three sections of the Youghiogheny River – the Upper (class V+), the Middle (class I-II) and the Lower (class III-IV). The Lower Youghiogheny River is a great place for first-time rafters and is the busiest stretch of whitewater east of the Mississippi River.

There are four commercial rafting companies that service the Youghiogheny River. The following is information for the four companies. I have rafted with three of the four companies, but my top choice is Wilderness Voyageurs. Not only do they offer guided whitewater rafting, but kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing and fly fishing instruction as well.

Whitewater rafting is an adrenaline-rushing, but safe outdoor adventure activity that almost anyone can enjoy. By relying on the guide services of a commercial rafting company, you can take the worry out of planning a trip. So, get out and raft.

Dave Herpy is the outdoor adventure and camp coordinator and part-time faculty in the recreation, park and tourism management program at Kent State University.

^ TOP

Shifting Gears
An all-nighter perfect for cyclists
By Kevin Madzia

Brent Forrer and Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson heading home on Route 5, finishing up an S24O at West Branch State Park near Ravenna.

Many avid bicyclists spend their evenings and weekends squeezing as many miles on the road or trail as possible. Between long hours at work and spending important time with their families, they dream about the day when they can either retire or save up enough vacation time for that ultimate trip across the state, or even across the country, by bike. You don’t, however, have to wait forever to enjoy the bicycle touring experience. You can have the trip of a lifetime in small doses using the Sub 24-Hour Overnight.

The Sub 24-Hour Overnight or S24O for short, is basically a bicycle camping trip with a single night’s stay. Pick a short route of 20 to 50 miles, something you can easily cover in a couple of hours to a half-day of riding. Pack up your gear and head out on a Saturday afternoon or even after work on a Friday evening. When you arrive at your destination, enjoy a campfire meal and an evening of stargazing. Pack up and ride the next morning, and you’ll be home in time to mow the lawn or take care of any of the other items on your weekend to-do list.

Northeast Ohio abounds with many ideal spots for S24O destinations. Several of the region’s state parks have campgrounds that offer sites for tent camping, or you can rent a cabin if you prefer not to rough it that much. West Branch State Park and Punderson State Park to the east, and Findlay State Park to the west are the closest options, or you can ride to Sandusky and catch the ferry to Kelley’s Island or Put-In-Bay. There are also private campgrounds, such as the Kampgrounds of America in Streetsboro, Sandusky, East Sparta, near Canton, and Shelby, near Mansfield; Jellystone Park near Aurora; and Camp Hi in Hiram. It’s best to call any of these places in advance to reserve a campsite or cabin. State park campgrounds have nonreserved walk-in sites for last-minute visitors, but availability of these sites is not guaranteed.

Other organizations have made efforts recently to provide more camping opportunities to bicycle tourists in the region. The Stanford Hostel, located near Peninsula and just off the Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, lets visitors set up tents in their yard for a $10 nightly fee, which includes access to the restrooms, showers and kitchen inside the hostel. Officials with Stark County Parks and Metro Parks Serving Summit County are working to open several other camping areas along the Towpath Trail. Schedules and policies are subject to change, so contact any of these organizations directly to verify availability of services before making any plans.

Of course, if sleeping in a tent is not your thing, you can always use the “credit card camping” option, where the sky’s the limit as far as accommodations, from cheap motels and nice hotels, to luxurious bed-and-breakfasts. This method of travel also saves you weight on the bike, since you won’t have to carry a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, etc. You may want to check with hotels in advance to be sure that they will either let you bring your bike into the room, or provide other secure bike parking.

Your eating options also run the gamut. You can take along a lightweight camp stove and cookware to whip up a backpacker’s stew for dinner and some oatmeal for breakfast, or you can enjoy tracking down the bicycle-friendly restaurants along your route and enjoy some of the locals’ favorite fare.

If you are, indeed, making concrete plans for a long-distance bicycle tour, use the S24O to get in one or more dry runs before your big trip. This lets you test out your gear in real-world situations before you are committed, and while you are still close to home, and even help you decide if the bicycle-touring lifestyle is right for you. On an S24O, the penalty for failure is less severe, and afterwards, you can learn from your mistakes and make adjustments to your choices of bike components, gear and packing schemes.

Even for experienced bicycle tourists, the Sub 24-Hour Overnight is a great way to satisfy your wanderlust between major expeditions. Plus, it’s the ideal method for gently introducing your kids or that less-adventurous significant other to the joys of traveling by bicycle.

Kevin Madzia is the Webmaster for Century Cycles, and an experienced bicycle racer, tourist and commuter.

^ TOP

Profile: Dr. TriLove
How an athlete learned to stop worrying and just love the race
by Steve Schirra

Janet Edwards
32, Parkman
Occupation: Director 
of Operations
Sport: Multi-sport

Much like the fantastical idea of “love at first sight,” there is an oft-told tale in the sports world – one in which an athlete immediately becomes enraptured by his or her sport after experiencing what could only be called “love at first race.”

Parkman resident Janet Edwards is not one of these athletes.

“On a whim I signed up for the (1998) Columbus Marathon with a friend,” she says. “I decided it was way too much work and I never wanted to do it again.”

Of course, Edwards did not let her initial negative response dissuade her from competing altogether. However, it wasn’t until 2003, when she was asked by her employer to put together a team of runners for a charity race, that her interest was rekindled.

After regaining her running chops, Edwards learned that what she needed to make her fitness life more appealing was variety in both her training and racing events. An online message from a former roommate, who was a board member with the Cleveland Triathlon Club, sealed the deal.

“She suggested that I start looking at triathlons, and maybe riding a bike. She e-mailed me when Bike Authority had a deal and said, ‘You should join the club and buy this bike,’” Edwards says. “I’m not one to waste money – I figured if I was going to drop the money, I was going to learn how to ride that bike.”

Indeed, Edwards would later master her newly purchased bike, but not after moving up the ranks as a newbie. Previously, the only cycle she owned was her childhood bicycle: a Freespirit that was, at the time, collecting dust in her parents’ garage. “And lord knows I wasn’t taking that to college, or anywhere else to ride in public,” she laughs.

The swim, too, presented a challenge.

“I remember my first training session with the Cleveland Tri Club,” Edwards said. “It was a swim, and I had never even swum with my head in the water before.”

Needless to say, she has nothing but kind words to describe the mentorship she received with the organization. Now a seasoned veteran, Edwards felt it was her duty to step up and assist other athletes who were trying to break through the learning curve.

Her eagerness to help others did not go unnoticed by her fellow triathletes, and she was soon asked to serve as the Cleveland Tri Club’s training director. She is also a member of the group’s board of directors.

“I learned so much from my mentors when I was first getting involved with the sport, and it’s been a great way to give back and help out new people who are interested in triathlon,” Edwards says.

Edwards, a firm believer that variety in one’s workout is the key to preventing overtraining injuries and general burnout, serves as the proprietor of Cleveland Tri Club’s Beast Series of hardcore endurance races.

“It pushes you to try some events you might have never thought to try,” she says, adding that the series includes, among other things, ultra-runs, mountain bike races and cyclocross races.

Even as a prolific athlete who trains five to six days a week for two to three hours (and will be competing in 27 events in 2009), Edwards admits that the endurances races definitely have both their high and low points. But for her, the events are only one part of the overall picture – the social aspects of training and racing play a large role in her life.

“Just training with such a dedicated group of individuals has helped me set higher goals for myself,” she says.

Apart from her Cleveland Tri Club duties, Edwards also serves as the treasurer for the Southeast Running Club, and is a member of the Cleveland Touring Club, CAMBA, Team Lake Effect and the Bike Authority/Fleet Triathlon team. As a person who wears so many hats, it’s no wonder that Edwards is such a proponent of training groups.

And though Edwards’ fitness tale did not have a fairytale beginning, her perseverance definitely paid off.

So her advice to others is simple: “Keep your head up.”

Steve Schirra holds degrees from Kent State and Emerson College, where he recently received his M.A. in Publishing & Writing. He divides his time between Boston, where he is a writing instructor, and Cuyahoga Falls, where he is a hiking enthusiast.

^ TOP