I grew up playing many team sports and was lucky enough to carry that through college. Through those years I had many amazing coaches along the way. After college I had children and although my competitive spirit never waned, my fitness level decreased and I gained a lot of weight. I never liked running when I was fit but running was exactly what I needed to help get myself back on the road to fitness. So I began to run and dabble in sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. An injury soon put an end to this and I became sedentary again. I recovered and again took up running. Then a family friend of mine talked me into joining a running group. So we joined the running group at the Training Studio and this proved to be a turning point in my life.
The group that I started running with inspired me and actually helped me to enjoy running. We did the mini marathon together and it was at this point that my competitive spirit began to awaken. I was ready for a new challenge. The marathon was next. Never in a million years did I think that I could run that far! It was this atmosphere of encouragement and hard work at the Training Studio that made possible what I thought to be impossible.
My next decision proved to be pivotal in ways I’m still discovering. My desire for triathlon experience was rekindled. I really enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that came with completing something I didn’t know was possible. I decided to participate in the multisport coaching program at the Training Studio in order to attempt a half Ironman. That is when I started working with Todd Benedict. Little did I know that a year later I would be participating in the Louisville Ironman! Todd was instrumental to my success. He provided a solid nutritional foundation, spent the time understanding my needs as an athlete, and worked within my hectic schedule to design a training plan that met all of my needs. Todd was always there for me whether it was 5:30am rides, 80+ mile rides, or 20+ mile runs. And when I would have minor injuries, he helped calm me down and really made me believe that I would still be able to cross that finish line.
And yes, I did cross that finish line! It is truly difficult to put into words what that day meant to me and will always mean to me. The support I had from my Training Studio friends was amazing and humbling.
Ironman day has come and gone now but I will never forget that day and what an amazing experience it was. I can’t thank Todd, Dale and Stacey enough for all they have done for me. I can now add Todd to the list of amazing coaches I have had in my life! This experience has just made me want to continue the journey. Who knows how far this journey will ultimately take me, but I am lucky to have traveled it this far with the Training Studio and can’t imagine doing it with anyone else. Thanks guys!!
M.Vittitow