Preparing for Ironman
Lawrence residents train for the Ironman triathlon that is set to take place at Clinton Lake this weekend.
Monday, June 16th, 2008
Jenny Ryschon-Knight began participating in triathlons after her chiropractor suggested it would alleviate her back problems. A new back injury she sustained while training in December, though, could impede her chances of crossing the finish line in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon at Clinton Lake this weekend.
Jenny Ryschon-Knight had never been particularly athletic, but she began training for her first triathlon two years ago after her chiropractor suggested the physical aspects of a triathlon would be good for her back. That year she completed both the Danskin women’s triathlon in Denver and the Tinman in Topeka. This time, however, she said it would be a blessing if she crosses the finish line.
Dustin Elliott
Ryschon-Knight, a non-traditional student from Lawrence, said she anticipated that participating in this Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Lawrence would be her most difficult triathlon yet.
Not only is this the farthest distance, but she also had back injuries while training in December that have hindered her preparation for this event.
“A lot of it is mental, staying mentally positive and constantly saying ‘I can do this,’” Ryschon-Knight said. “I have to listen to my body and take care of it. If it’s telling me to slow down, I have to. It’s a learning experience and I come back stronger in the end. I’m better for it.”
Sunday’s triathlon is an inaugural event at Clinton Lake. Ironman 70.3 added Kansas this year as 1 of the 28 worldwide qualifying events for next year’s Ironman World Championship 70.3. It is also the only Ironman 70.3 event in the Midwest.
An estimated 13,000 participants will swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles and run a half-marathon of 13.1 miles at Clinton Lake.
“Lawrence is the best place in the Midwest for a race because it has a perfect venue, great race course and nice lake,” said race director Tom Ziebart. “The name Ironman is pretty powerful and we want to bring that to the Midwest.”
Although this may be the first Ironman 70.3 in Kansas, it’s not the first time Lawrence residents have trained for a triathlon. Dustin Elliott, 2007 graduate, has been participating in triathlons for three years.
“I had already been running and interested in fitness,” Elliott said. “A triathlon seemed like a fun way to challenge myself. It’s hard, but before an event I just try to have confidence and trust that I can reach my goal.”
Elliott said he had the most fun training for the bike portion of the race and the most difficulty in the swim. He never swam until he started training and one of his personal goals is to improve his swimming time. He hopes to complete the entire triathlon in five hours.
“When it’s over the best part is celebrating with family and friends,” Elliott said. “I just enjoy the fact that I was just able to do something like that, to challenge myself in that way.”
Ryschon-Knight said she enjoyed the fact that triathlon’s were about improving yourself and your lifestyle. He said if you were not worried about winning a triathlon, you raced against yourself and improved your personal goals. She said training had helped her become more determined and focused.
“I love the positive outlook people bring on race day,” Ryschon-Knight said. “When you cross the finish line there is a satisfaction of knowing you’ve been focused and things are getting done. The woman who crosses the finish line isn’t the same as the one who started. It opens you up mentally, allowing you to do something you never thought you could do.”
Ryschon-Knight said she loved the way people who ran triathlons live their life, with determination. The participants, who come from all over, bring an infectious energy. She said hoped to experience the positive energy in the pre-triathlon festival.
Lawrence is playing host to the festival on the 900 block of New Hampshire tonight. The block will be closed from around 11 a.m. until midnight with concerts starting at 7 p.m. Poi Dog Pondering, a veteran soul rock band, headlines the event. The band is excited for the festivities.
“Lawrence has been a nice city for us,” said Frank Orrall, lead singer of Poi Dog Pondering. “Coming on tour and going through the Midwest has been a fun corridor of clubs to play,”
— Edited by Bryan Cisler
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