MCC One-Stop Training for Triathlon Race

Dublin Ireland’s Celtic Warrior information packet read “races will start bang on time.” For those who might not know what that means, Monon Community Center (MCC) member, Irish transplant and Warrior conqueror Janine Beazley can tell you it means to be prompt, trained-up and mentally ready to undertake quite a feat: A half Ironman triathlon race. Make that a half iron woman race.

“We moved to Carmel almost a year ago now,” says Beazley. “We looked at houses and then my very next stops were to find a workout center. When I toured the MCC I was sold immediately. We unpacked the house, and my husband and I both bought a membership.”

For Beazley, a center that offers everything she needed to work out and train in one location is a must.

“The Irish aren’t built for extreme heat or extreme cold,” laughs Beazley. “The indoor track at the MCC is exceptional for training. I’m on the track, in the pool, participate in spin class three times a week and I use the fitness center as much as I can as well.”

DREAMS=GOALS=REALITY

When she turned 40, Beazley decided it was time for some goal setting. She began to train for the Celtic Warrior race back in Dublin in August of 2022. The race would include a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. Before that, her first goal was to run the Carmel half marathon.

“The biking piece of the half Ironman was going to be something I was going to have to really focus on,” Beazley says. “I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive about my first cycle class, but instructor Brian encouraged me to bike at my own pace and allow my own training to accelerate as I grew stronger and increased endurance.”

Support Translates To Success

Her first cycling class on a Monday night was a bit daunting Beazley admits as she hadn’t taken one before. She encourages anyone to give it a try.

“You’ll find your flat” Beazley says which is where you feel comfortable and then progress from there based on how fast and difficult you want to make the experience. The Indiana flat roads aren’t ideal for training for the biking piece of the half iron man, so training through a cycling class became crucial.

“Coming from Ireland, I have to admit the rides outside were beautiful,” says Beazley. “But Brian has a way of bringing the outside into the class by describing the cycling as if we were riding up the Blue Ridge Parkway or cycling past a couple walking their dog. It makes it feel real and he offers steady encouragement. The other cycle classes have incredible music for motivation or a focus on burning calories. Each has their own benefit in my overall workout plan.”

The encouragement and support of all the MCC staff has been key to Beazley’s motivation. She completed the Celtic Warrior in early August with a time of 6 hours and 58 minutes which was 45 minutes quicker than her targeted time. She was surrounded by her Irish family and Brown Shoes Triathlon Club teammates in Ireland for the celebration. (See photo below.)

Beazley’s career has been spent in administration at center’s just like the MCC and she hopes to become involved again with something in the sport exercise and leisure industry. No wonder, she says, that the MCC felt like home to her.

“Up next is training for Lap the Lough, an 89-mile annual cycle event around Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Ireland and Britain,” Beazley says.

Let the training for the conquering begin. For Beazley, at the MCC of course.