Laureen_Jenson

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FEFORE

1. How long have you been doing triathlons?
   I participated in my first relay triathlon in the summer of 2009 and then my first and second individual races in the summer of 2010.

2. How do you balance workouts with family/job responsibilities?
   I’m at a time in my life where my family and job responsibilities, outside normal work hours, are minimal. So I plan to take advantage of that for as long as I can! I train in the evenings on weekdays (right after work, so I don’t get comfy on the couch and skip training) and first thing when I wake up on Saturdays.

3. Do you have a favorite triathlon moment (event or training)?
   I really enjoy the camaraderie that’s always present in triathlon. In my first race in 2009, I rode the bike leg on an old mountain bike. I was so nervous that people would laugh at how green I was. But when more experienced racers passed me, they didn’t yell “Haha, I beat you!” They yelled “Keep it up, mountain bike! You’re doing a great job!” I’ve found the same level of encouragement as I’ve transitioned into a solo competitor, and I always try to pass that on to newer racers I see on the course.

4. What is the best advice you can give a newbie?
   Start swimming in open water as early and often as possible. Getting in open water for the first time can be really scary, so make sure that happens long before race day. And get involved with a team! While triathlon is officially a solo sport, joining a team guarantees that it doesn’t lose the knowledge and moral support of a group activity. Your first race will be tough and not being alone on race day will help you feel more confident.

5. What is your favorite workout?
   Swimming is my favorite event, and I prefer distance workouts over sprints.

6. What’s next for you?
   This season, I’ll be competing in two (maybe three) sprint distance races. I’ll be keeping an eye on the clock, with hopes for a PR!

Interested in telling TriathaNewbie.com readers how YOU balance YOUR life with triathlons? Email us with the subject line “Triathlete Profile” and let us know! We would love to hear from newbies as well as seasoned veterans. Your words just might inspire someone to get off the couch and to the starting line!