Triathletes Gear Up to Race

For a shining example of what it looks like to make a plan, stick to it, put in weeks of hard work, and accomplish something spectacular, look no further than the triathlon and running community at MAC. There’s the weeks of training — both mentally and physically. There’s choosing the right gear and practicing how to transition from swimming to biking to running. There’s figuring out how to fuel oneself for several hours of taxing physical activity. Then, eventually, there’s the thrill of crossing the finish line on race day.

It’s all part of the experience that keeps triathletes like MAC members Dave Hanna and Charles Turner coming back for more. They’re both gearing up for Ironman 70.3 Oregon in July — a test of endurance that takes racers on a 1.2-mile swim in the Willamette River, a 56-mile bike ride through Salem, and a half marathon run through Minto-Brown Island Park.

The Why Behind the Tri

Hanna is a seasoned runner and triathlete who’s completed many races, including Olympic distances, two 70.3 Ironman races, and one full-course 140.6 Ironman. “I love the variety that triathlon brings to exercise,” he explains.

What drives him isn’t the desire to win or compete with anyone besides himself but rather an intrinsic motivation to challenge his own limits. “For Ironman, the likelihood of winning your age division is minimal, and if that’s the recipe for success or enjoyment, you’re likely to be disappointed,” he says. “My favorite part of training might be the individual time to think, plan, pray, and converse with myself. I love knowing that I’m doing something that is truly challenging.”

Turner has also been active in the tri scene for a while, having been persuaded by a cycling buddy to sign up for an event four years ago. He’s completed five Ironman 70.3 races and two full Ironmans, and ran his first marathon in April.

“I was absolutely not a runner,” he declares. “I started running in 2018, figuring if I couldn’t run a half marathon, a 70.3 wouldn’t happen. I vowed not to buy a tri bike until completing one, but the bike I was looking at went on sale. I bought the bike so had to figure the running out.”

Training

Preparing the body and mind for a race like an Ironman 70.3 could mean 12 to 16 weeks of workouts, pushing up to 10 to 15 hours per week — plus the right balance of rest and recovery, adequate sleep, equipment and mechanical maintenance, and proper nutrition.

According to MAC personal trainer Patrick Fisher, the most important aspect of any training plan is consistency. “Depending upon the event and the distance required, the mix of activities should be training Tuesday through Sunday. Some training plans may require two sessions a day,” he says. “Making a spreadsheet or writing in a journal detailing each workout helps when looking at the days, weeks, and months leading up to the event. Include days off for recovery and a couple of days a week for mobility and strength work.”

As Turner nears peak training, he says his routine will become two or three swims, five runs, and five bike rides per week. He also trains with Fisher three times a week, which he credits with keeping him injury-free recently.

Turner with his dog, Addie

Contributed photo

Hanna started stacking his workouts in April. He notes that there’s also a good deal of mental work that’s needed to prepare for an hours-long race outdoors in the elements. “It’s important to feel the grind and push through it and know that you can push through it [on race day],” he says.

A few weeks before race day, it comes time to taper workouts and give the body a chance to recover and build energy for the big event. “I had a friend once tell me that you should feel like a caged animal on race day,” Hanna explains. “Another said, ‘You’ve spent so much time stacking hay inside the barn, don’t be foolish and burn the barn down just before race day.’”

Finding Community

While each of the three triathlon events are uniquely individual endeavors, both Hanna and Turner attest to the community-building element of the sport at MAC. “Hours of training, week-in and week-out, can get lonely,” Turner notes. “Let’s face it: Misery loves company. But it’s also nice to share in the triumphs.”

Hanna agrees that running with friends, meeting up at the pool, or taking a Sunday ride with fellow triathletes add a much-needed element of fun and socialization to the training. “Following each other on social media platforms has been helpful for me as well,” he says. “When you know you have a community that is supporting you, you don’t want to let them down.”

Both men are part of the Tri/Run Committee, which supports MAC athletes involved in triathlon and running endeavors. Members who are interested in triathlons or running are invited to join the community on Wednesday evening cycling events, 5K opportunities such as the Turkey Trot and Jingle Bell Run, and the MAC Mile event later this month. Reach out to trirun.chair@themac.com or visit the Tri/Run page at themac.com to learn more.