It's A Lifestyle! - May 2011

By: Shallin Squire

    On April 18, 2011, Jenny Wall crossed the finish line at the Salt Lake City Marathon. Her journey, though, began long before the starting line that lay 26.2 miles behind her.

    Turn back the calendar to May of 2009. Try to picture a 257-pound Jenny getting "short of breath, red in the face, and sweaty" from walking up the steps to her internship at Roosevelt Jr. High.

    On May 20, 2009, Jenny's grandmother, who had been more like a mother to Jenny for much of her life, passed away. Her grandfather was simultaneously dying of pancreatic cancer, and his suffering had a profound effect upon Jenny. She explained: "My grandfather had been heavy all his life, and he suffered from a lot of health problems as a result, including Type 2 Diabetes. It was at that point that I thought, 'I don't want to die.' I honestly felt like I was approaching death, and I knew if I didn't do something about my health soon, I would die. I wanted to live."

    Jenny made up her mind at that moment to change her lifestyle. She started by giving up soda and made gradual changes from there.

    Mrs. Wall, as her students know her, had been working plus going to college for many years. She explained, "I went straight from the Bachelor's program to the Master's program to the Administrator's program. I was a good student. I attended my classes, did my homework, and received good grades. But I had been taking care of my mind long enough; now it was time to focus on taking care of my body." The very day after completing her final exams, Jenny signed up with a personal trainer.

    "I decided I would treat my training just like school. So, every night after work, I went to the gym. That was my homework." Accustomed to 2-year-long college programs, Jenny told herself that this, too, would be at least a 2-year process, requiring constant effort. Then she related her lifestyle change to education in one more important way: just as a good educator relies on continuing education to get the latest information and sharpen her skills, Jenny told herself that even after reaching her goal weight, she would continue to work out and eat healthfully for the rest of her life.

    Prior to July of 2009, Jenny had zero running experience. "I had never run a day in my life," she stated. "So, I started by doing what I could. I'd run for 30 seconds, and then it would take me 5 minutes to catch my breath, but I just kept doing it, and I gradually improved."

    As Jenny's fitness level improved, she began doing things she'd always wanted to do, such as hiking Mount Timpanogas.

    Being able to hike and participate in outdoor activities were themselves a reward to Jenny, but she kept herself motivated with additional rewards along the way. When she'd lost 10% of the weight she planned to lose, she bought herself a Body Bug to aid in her weight-loss journey. "My next mini-goal reward is to get a passport," she explained happily. I can't afford to go on vacation right now, but if I have the passport, I'm one step closer."

    Other self-motivating rewards have included trips to Moab to hike or visiting a good friend who lives in Brigham City. "Your rewards don't have to be expensive or grand in any way," Jenny stated. "They just have to keep you motivated, and you have to be flexible. When you hit a plateau, focus on rewards for achieving your weekly work out goals rather than reaching a certain weight."

    One of Jenny's motivational weight-loss "secrets" is to always have an attractive outfit hanging in her closet that is 2 sizes too small. "I try it on periodically, and as soon as it fits and I get to wear it, I buy myself an outfit 2 sizes smaller than that."

    Jenny is also motivated by her work-out "buddy"–her husband Glen. Glen had lived a healthy lifestyle for many years before Jenny adopted one, and he encouraged her to do so. "It had to be my choice, though," Jenny explained. "No one can make the decision to change for you. But now I don't know what I would do without Glen's support. He doesn't enjoy the distance running as much as I do, and I can't lift nearly as much weight as he can, so we push each other. I push him to run further, and he pushes me to lift more. We push each other until we can literally say to the other, 'I couldn't do one more if I tried.'"

    Glen supported Jenny by running a half marathon with her, but he doesn't have a desire to run a full marathon. "However, he's still there to support me," she said. "He volunteered at the Salt Lake City Marathon, and he was the one who put the ribbon around my neck after I crossed the finish line."

    In less than 2 years, Jenny has lost a staggering 110 pounds. "I have more to lose," she acknowledged, "but I'm so much healthier, and I feel so much better."

    Jenny's body has changed so significantly that many people, including former students and their parents, have difficulty recognizing Jenny. That doesn't bother her, but Jenny said there is one common question she doesn't care for: "I often get asked, 'What diet are you on?' I'm not on a diet. I didn't starve the weight off or follow a fad diet. I did it one step at a time, and I made a lifestyle change. Being 'on a diet' implies that someday one will be 'off' the diet, but that's not true in my case. I look at food differently. It's an energy source. I think of my upcoming work outs and ask myself, 'What would be the best thing to eat?'"        

    It took Jenny nearly 2 years to be able to finish a marathon, and she stated that it was the hardest thing she has ever done. She injured her knee by stepping in a pothole near mile 17, and she was in so much pain that she seriously considered quitting at mile 20, but she pressed on. "Glen and I have a saying hanging in our work-out room," she said. "It says, 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.' I decided that it didn't matter if I finished last. I wasn't going to let fear of failure get in my way, and I finished. I was in pain, but it didn't matter. The feeling of accomplishment was worth it."

    The next morning, knee still hurting, Jenny got on the internet and registered for 6 more marathons, which will all take place in 2011.

    When asked if she had advice for anyone who might be considering adopting a healthier lifestyle, Jenny declared, "It's not something that happens overnight. It takes a long time to put the weight on, and it takes a long time to get it off, but everyday you make a positive change is one day closer to your goal."

 
 

 

Basinites in Boston - Healthy Edge April 2011

By: Shallin Squire

    On April 19, 1897, the Boston Athletic Association held a 24.5-mile road race to conclude their spring athletic competition. Ten of fifteen runners finished the inaugural run, which began in Ashland, Mass., and the race to Boston has been held every year since. "In addition to its indisputable position as the world's oldest annual marathon, 'Boston' is widely regarded as one of the world's most prestigious road races. The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots' Day (third Monday in April)." (See www.baa.org)

    This year's Boston Marathon will take place on April 18^th, and 4 runners from Roosevelt will be among the 27,000 competitors in the 26.2-mile race: Kim Labrum, Sue Denver-Betts, and husband and wife Brian and Arlene Southam. Each was required to qualify for Boston by finishing in a pre-determined amount of time for his/her age group at a qualifying marathon. Fortunately for us, each also took time out of his/her rigorous training schedule to help us get to know the talented athletes who will be representing the Uinta Basin in Boston.

    
    Kim Labrum has been running for 18 years, but she didn't attempt long distances until about 3 years ago. After she finished several half marathons and the Wasatch Back Relay, Kim's friend Sue Denver-Betts was able to convince Kim she could do a full marathon. Kim explained, "When I used to think about running a marathon, I would almost just put it out of my head. It seemed too long and unattainable, but once you've completed the longer distances in the training, you realize that it is very doable and that you really are capable of anything you set your mind to. I view hard things in a...different way now. I take the approach that there is always a way to do what you want to do."

    Kim qualified for Boston by finishing the St. George Marathon in 3:35:20, and Boston will be her 5^th full marathon. She stated, "I would still like to have a decent time when I finish, but I really am just going for the experience of being there."

    Interestingly, while Kim credits Sue Denver-Betts for her first attempt at a full marathon, Sue stated that it was Kim's idea and that Kim is her "source of inspiration and motivation." Like Kim, Sue qualified for Boston at the St. George Marathon, finishing in 3 hours and 42 minutes. Her goal is to finish Boston in less than 4 hours, but what she is really looking forward to is the chance to run outside. Sue declared, "My favorite thing about running is being outdoors. I train about 60% of the time during the winter on a treadmill, which I do not love. So when I get to go out to run, it's a true bonus."     

    Sue, along with the other marathoners from Roosevelt, stated that one of her biggest challenges is making time to train. Sue and Brian both work full time, and Kim and Arlene are primarily stay-at-home moms but run their own small businesses from home. Each of the 4 has a family to care for as well.

    Another challenge for any Basin runner, as Sue pointed out, is that it seems to be winter more often than not. Running 20+ miles on a treadmill is a test of both one's physical and mental endurance! Sue overcomes the temptation to take the cold months off simply by signing up for a race. "When I have signed up for an event, I stick to my training schedule very closely and always do my running no matter what," she said.

    Sue, Kim, Brian and Arlene, are motivated by the feeling they know they will have after a long run. "It [running] becomes a sick addiction, and I just can't get over it. I love the way I feel after a nice long run," Brian Southam declared. Each of the competitors also feels that running has helped them deal with stress and feel more confident, as well as making them a better family member. Brian stated, "It helps me deal with my family more patiently. I've found a nice 20-mile run really makes me a lot more mellow."

    Arlene Southam has run 3 full and 3 half marathons. She began thinking about running a full marathon when she crossed the finish line at her first half marathon, and she turned to friends Rachel Wheeler and Tanya Christensen (who had recently completed a full marathon) for advice. Next, according to Brian, she went to her husband: "She came to me with, 'I'm going to run a full marathon. Are you going to do it with me?'" Brian explained. " I said, 'Sure,' and with [advice from Rachel Wheeler], we started training, and the rest is history."

    Arlene qualified for Boston at the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan, finishing in 3:41. She stated, "I would like to break a 3:30 marathon this year. I would love to do it at Boston, but it isn't known as a fast or great course, so we'll see how it goes. And if I don't do it at Boston, I plan to run 2 or 3 marathons this year where I can give it a shot."

    
    Arlene has never been to Boston, and she has never flown on a commercial airplane. "This is a HUGE trip for me," she said.
    Brian Southam has been running "on and off--mostly off--since high school." He has entered and finished 3 full marathons, qualifying for Boston at Top of Utah with a time of 3:09:51.

    Brian has never been to Boston. "I'm very excited to go," he said. While there, Brian has three specific goals: "1)Finish. 2)Have a great time. 3)Finish in under 3 hours."

    Brian and Arlene have been following Hal Higdon's free training guides (www.halhigdon.com) for all of their marathons and, as far as diet, have used the guidelines they learned from Jean Marie Anderson's weight control class they attended in Vernal several years ago. All 4 of our local competitors state that properly nourishing and hydrating one's body are keys to successful and enjoyable running.

    Brian and Arlene value the time they are able to spend running together. "We have 7 kids, and this is one way to get some peace and quiet," Brian said. "My favorite thing about running is time with my wife." Brian expressed gratitude for those who have made it possible for the couple to train together: "We would like to thank our kids for being awesome. The older kids have been great to babysit while we go out on long week end runs. They even have hot muffins waiting for us on occasion. I would also like to thank our extended family for making race days possible for us. They have watched kids and provided transportation for us so we can go race."

    Kim also appreciates her family for their support and motivation. She said, "A motivating factor is my family. They are all very supportive, especially my husband, Craig. They all do anything they can to give me the time I need to train and do the things I want to do."

    Kim, Sue, Arlene, and Brian encourage others who have ever considered running a marathon to start training today. Brian suggested a visit to www.dailymile.com, a site where you can get more information about what training is like and then track your progress.

    Congratulations to Kim, Sue, Arlene, and Brian, for qualifying for Boston. We hope each of you attains your goals there, and we'll be cheering you on from back home in the Basin.

 
 

The Race

By: *Destiny (From The Healthy Edge January 2011)

The anticipation in the air
Awe I feel so stoked
I stretch, I skip, not knowing how this is going to fair
I get in line, hoping to not get poked
The whistle blows and we are off
Go legs Go legs Go legs go
That is I have to keep saying
I say a prayer in my heart, please legs no
Then it happens... the legs say, "I can't do this anymore"
"NO", I hear myself yelling, "you can do this, you must
Just one more mile"
I take a slower pace,
My feet are going in a single file,
Then a burst of a leap to, I face
The adrenaline, and here I go again.
Run, You can do this, I know you can
At last, the Legs say no again,
What, you can't do this to me
So I slow once more, vvvrrooom vvvrrroooom
My feet say, I will try once more.
Here we go again, the wind flowing through my hair feels amazing
The adrenaline is going.
What happened!
I thought I had no more in me
My legs would probably agree
A burst of energy hits
See ya all later, here I go again
Run little legs run, no more fits
The finish line is nearing up ahead
The excitement is building
And the last of the bursts excel
like a bullet being fired like a gun
I did it, We did it, we past the finish line
It feels good, I did not fail.

The END

 
 

Healthy Edge - Taking The First Steps - January 2011

By: Shallin Squire

For *Destiny, the year 2010 could be summed up simply: a transformation. When circumstances beyond her control began to change, Destiny committed to improving what was within her power to change: her health.

    Already facing family problems, Destiny woke up one morning in March and took a long, honest look in the mirror. "I didn't like what I saw," she stated. But her self-contempt lay deeper than her physical appearance: "I hadn't been true to myself or my heritage for a long time," she explained.

    Destiny committed to do whatever was necessary to turn that reflection in the mirror into someone she could love, but she wasn't sure exactly how to begin. A couple of days later, she was getting ready for work when she heard an ad on the radio for a fitness boot camp at a nearby gym. Immediately she knew that was the first step she wanted to take, and she enrolled in the boot camp. By May she had completed that and finished her first 5k race. "I didn't finish first, but I didn't finish last, either," she reported. "It took me 33 minutes to finish. I did it, and I ran the whole time. It may not have been fast, but it feels terrific to finish a race."

    Although she has lost 10-12 pounds and is noticeably more toned, Destiny's favorite aspect of what she describes as a physical "transformation" is the energy and confidence she's gained. "I used to feel so sluggish," she said. "Now I have more energy, and I feel better about myself."

    Since that fateful morning in March, Destiny has completed 4 boot camps and run seven 5k races. "In my last race of the year, I came in at 27 minutes," she reported, excitedly. However, Destiny readily admits that she has gained more than stamina. "It's unbelievable how far I've come, not just with the physical challenges, but in other aspects of my life as well. I've made a lot of friends through boot camp," she said. "Also, the trainers are always there to cheer me on, and they've helped me through some difficult times, whether they know it or not. "

    One of those "difficult times" occurred one night in June. Destiny had an argument with a close acquaintance. "I had confided in him, but the conversation went array, and ultimately I felt deeply hurt and angry with that person."

    Destiny returned to her home after the argument. "I cooled off, watched a movie, and went to bed," she said. "A few hours later, I was rudely awakened by a pounding on my door. Policemen stormed my house, barking out instructions and barely giving me time to get dressed before they ordered me to a cop car and hauled me off to the hospital." Struggling to make sense of what was happening, Destiny was mortified to learn that the acquaintance with whom she'd argued had called the police and claimed he thought Destiny was suicidal.

    "It was horrible, a nightmare, a joke!" she described. "I was suddenly in the psych ward of the hospital being bombarded with questions." At first, Destiny said nothing to the hospital attendants who seemed to be full of questions but lacking in patience and genuine concern. "I didn't feel that I owed them any explanations. I wasn't suicidal. I acknowledge now how upset I was at that point, but I didn't even feel depressed. I simply disagreed with some people who I thought were my friends." Destiny sat silently for a time, but realized that because she was being held at the hospital against her will, she wouldn't be able to go home–which was all she really desired at that point–until she "told them what they wanted to hear." So she did, over and over, until the psychologist was convinced she wasn't going to harm herself. She returned home the next morning, feeling utterly disgusted, betrayed and abandoned.

    With the majority of her trust in others shattered, and therefore afraid to confide in anyone, Destiny realized she needed a way to release the anger she stored inside. Once again, she looked for a healthy way to rid herself of something she disliked. Knowing that music could provide the outlet she sought, Destiny signed up for guitar lessons. She also reinvested some of her time in an old hobby: writing poetry. Destiny is progressing as a musician and posts some of her poems on her blog, where family and friends are invited to read them. "Some people find my poems dark and depressing, but they provide hope and healing for me," she stated.         

    As she begins 2011, Destiny is staying true to her commitments to herself and is much happier with what she sees when she takes that long, honest look in the mirror. She plans to continue enrolling in boot camps, and as of the day this article was typed, she has earned her first "dog tag" for doing 310 full sit ups. She also plans to continue running 5k races, and her specific goal is to average a 6.5 minute mile (she has about a minute and a half to go!). She spends "anywhere from half an hour to several hours" practicing the guitar every day, and she has set specific musical goals as well. Destiny vows to embrace the ups and downs that will surely come with a new year and to find healthy ways to deal with both.

    Destiny is an inspiration to those who know her, and I hope she's now inspired some of our wonderful Healthy Edge readers as well. Most of us sit down and set goals for the New Year, but how many of us keep the promises we make to ourselves? Will this be your year of transformation? Only you can take that long, honest look in the mirror and decide...but please let us know how we can help, and please share your successful transformations with us. Email us any time!

Happy New Year!
Shallin
shallin@theedgemagazine.org

  *Real name changed at "Destiny's" request

 
 

Have Happy Healthy Holiday - November 2010

Thanksgiving dinner and healthy are not normally used in the same sentence, but hopefully one of the things that we here at The Edge Magazine have been able to share with you, our readers, over the past two years is how being healthy CAN be something fun and enjoyable. Being healthy can include what you serve to your friends and family during the holiday season AS WELL AS how you can proceed when you are the guest. Do you know that the average Thanksgiving dinner has over 2000 calories? It can be a real challenge if you are watching your waistline. The following are some eating tips so that you can still look good and be healthy after the Thanksgiving dinner without having to deprive yourself.
    For most of us, we will be invited to Thanksgiving dinner and here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to eating.
· Don't go to the Thanksgiving dinner hungry: we often eat faster and more when we are hungry - therefore eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch on the day to avoid overeating at dinner time.
· Thanksgiving dinner is not an all-you-can-eat buffet: Fill your plate half with vegetables, one quarter with a lean meat and the rest with a starch of your choice. Eat slowly and stop when you are full.
· Turkey - go skinless: choose your 4-oz turkey portion skinless to slash away some fat and cholesterol. Save your appetite for the side dishes and desserts.
· Side Dishes - watch your portion size: go for smaller portions. This way you can sample all the different foods. Moderation is always the key.
· Make a conscious choice to limit high fat items: high fat food items can be found in fried and creamy dishes as well as cheese-filled casseroles in a traditional Thanksgiving meal . For instance, mashed potatoes are usually made with butter and milk; green bean casseroles are often prepared with cream of mushroom soup, cheese and milk and topped with fried onions; candied yams are loaded with cream, sugar and marshmallows. If you cannot control the ingredients that go in to a dish, simply limit yourself to a smaller helping size. Again moderation is the key.
· Drink plenty of water: alcohol and coffee can dehydrate your body. Drink calorie-free water to help fill up your stomach and keep you hydrated


    However if you are lucky enough to be able to be the honored chef, there are several things that you can do to help make the meal you are serving much more healthy.

· Substitute high fat ingredients with lower-fat or fat-free ingredients. see substitution table
· Leftover Turkey?Instead of turkey sandwiches, use the leftover turkey to make a pot of soup with fresh chunky vegetables.
· Experiment with new recipes: I did a search on Google and found numerous delicious yet healthy low-fat contemporary Thanksgiving recipes. Experiment, its fun!

Pumpkin Pancakes - November 2010

Courtesy of Kristin Dye - Oh My Cupcakes

Syrup:

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup real maple syrup
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans

In a medium sauce pan place butter and cook for 8-10 minutes or until it is lightly brown. Add is seasonings and remove from heat and add pecan

 

Pancake Mix:

 

1 1/2 cups flour
2 Tbs packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup ricotta cheese

In a small bowl combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl whisk eggs, milk, pumpkin, and ricotta cheese. Stir in dry ingredients just until moistened. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls on hot griddle and turn when bubbles form on top. Serve with brown butter

 

A Salute to Basin Tri-Athletes

What better way is there to welcome summer (and celebrate the end of those long Basin winters!) than to swim, bike, or run? Better yet, do all three! Do them in succession, and you can call yourself a triathlete.

Instructions for participants in the first *Ironman Triathlon, held in Hawaii in 1974, included a statement that has since become a motivational motto for aspiring triathletes: "Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life." However, after interviewing 7 of our top Basin triathletes, I discovered that it's not about bragging at all (every single one told me that what place a finisher takes doesn't really matter to anyone and that participants compete only against themselves!); rather, each described a sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing the finish line—especially if the athlete improves upon his or her personal record time.

Before I introduce you to our 7 champions, I need to introduce you to some triathlon terminology. A "full" or "Ironman" Triathlon was explained above. Several of our local triathletes are currently entering half-Ironmans (swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and running a half marathon—or 13.1 miles). The Olympic distance is slightly shorter than a half-Ironman and includes a 1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, and 10 km run. The shortest distance (and therefore fastest pace) is the Sprint distance: a 750 m swim, 20 km bike, and a 5 km run.

Each of the 7 triathletes I interviewed trains year round, but those from Roosevelt must travel to Vernal to practice swimming most months of the year. Another trait they all share is commitment to their families, so you'll typically find them training very early in the morning (as early as 4 a.m.) and/or very late in the evening.

Dr. Greg Staker, Roosevelt
Dr. Staker entered the UBIC triathlon five years ago. He laughs about that first triathlon now because at that time he only knew how to swim with his head above water. But being the determined, intelligent man that he is, he bought a book about swimming and began following its recommended training program A short time later, Greg finished in the top 15 overall at the Jordanelle Triathlon in the Olympic distance. Now he enters half-Ironmans, and he is registered for a full Ironman that will take place in St. George next May.

Dr. Staker states that he enjoys the lifestyle of a triathlete; with the variety in the training regimen, he is able to stay fit while minimizing the chance of injury. He also recognizes that it's something he can do with his family; his oldest daughter, Abby, gets up at 4:30 a.m. and rides with him to Vernal for swim training 9 months of the year. Chances are, if you live in Roosevelt, you've seen the Staker family, including the family dog, outside running and/or biking together.

Greg and his wife, Shannon (who is also a Pediatrician), founded the UBIC kids' triathlon and have kept it going for the past 3 years.

Brett Rasmussen, Neola
Perhaps one of the Basin's most experienced triathletes, Brett has been competing since 1994. He explained that he has always loved to exercise, and when he began entering triathlons, he was "looking for a challenge."

Brett arises between 4 and 4:30 a.m. to run 6-8 miles, 4 days a week. He bikes to and from work (he owns Country Cabinet in Roosevelt), which is about 15 miles each way. He also works out during his lunch break several times each week. During the cold months, he tries to schedule business appointments in Vernal around the lap swim at the Uintah Rec center so that he doesn't have to make any extra trips that would take away from his family time. In the summer, he swims in his dad's large irrigation pond.

Brett placed 1^st in his age division and 8^th overall at the DinoLand Triathlon in June. One of his strategies for success is to take every opportunity to train: a few weeks ago, he needed to leave a vehicle in Vernal, so he loaded up his bike, dropped off the vehicle, and biked to work in Roosevelt. Brett and his wife, Jenell, run together in the evenings while their 4 children tag along on their bicycles.

Brett cycles with the Roosevelt triathletes and, like the others, he is signed up for a full Ironman in May of 2011.

 

Gary Child, Roosevelt
Gary entered his first triathlon in 2006. He had been running for several years, but he worried that exercising in the same way for so long would eventually result in injury, so he began cross-training. He quickly discovered that, even more than the diversified training, he enjoys the friendships he makes and the commitment he shares with the other athletes.

Gary stated that his most rewarding moment as a triathlete was when he finished Lotoja (a 206-mile bike race from Logan, Utah, to Jackson, Wyoming) for the first time.

Gary follows a strict diet (50% whole grains or vegetables, 20% lean protein, and 30% other healthful foods), declaring that--even with 10 or more exercise sessions each week—he gains weight when he doesn't eat healthfully.

Dr. Michael Catten, Roosevelt
Although Dr. Catten has only been competing in triathlons for 4 years, he cycled and ran previous to that, so "the transition was natural." He had also been a competitive soccer player in the past, but the risk of injury in that sport was greater than he wanted to take.

"I never intended to become a triathlete," Dr. Catten stated. "I started training with friends, and I guess it was just one of their 'bad habits' that I picked up," he said, jokingly.

Dr. Catten likes the less competitive and more supportive attitude associated with triathlons compared to other sports. "When I played soccer, there were always winners and losers. With triathlons, the sense of accomplishment when one finishes a race is more satisfying than 'winning' a game. We all support each other."

Dr. Catten stated that his ultimate triathlon-related goal is to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. He, too, will be entering his first full Ironman next spring in St. George.

Don DeCamp, Vernal
The other Basin triathletes consider Don to be the local triathlon guru. After all, he's 55 years old, and he's finished the Ironman at Kona, Hawaii, twice! Don has been competing for "25 years, give or take". Moreover, Don has that supportive, caring attitude characteristic of Basin triathletes, so it's easy for others to go to him for advice.

Don enters "2-10" triathlons each summer, and most of those are half-Ironman. "They're more comfortable than the full Ironmans," he stated.

With their 7 children raised and on their own, Don and his wife, Rayann, enjoy planning their travels around Don's triathlons. "We've decided we'd like to see Europe, so I'm hoping to compete in the Ironman European Championships in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2012. We think that would be fun!" Rayann is always with Don, camera in hand, to cheer him on.

Because others already go to him for advice, I decided to ask Don what recommendations he has for aspiring triathletes in general, and this is what he said: "Read all the triathlon magazines you can get your hands on. There are several, and they all have good advice. But, more importantly, keep your priorities in order. Triathlons are great, but family life is more important."

Mark and Lynise Mason, Vernal
Mark entered his first triathlon in 2004. He stated, "I'd been working for several years at an office job [as a loan officer], and I weighed about 250 pounds. I went to my doctor, and he said I was a 'heart attack waiting to happen.' So, I started training and lost 50 pounds. I've been training ever since."

Mark's wife, Lynise, waited for him at the finish line for two years before she resolved to never be a spectator again. She entered her first triathlon when Mark asked her complete the running portion of a team-relay triathlon. "That was 4 weeks after I had my 4th baby!" Lynise stated. "But I loved the race atmosphere, and I haven't looked back since."

Mark and Lynise train together early each morning.

Mark finished 1^st out of all the Vernal athletes in the DinoLand Triathlon (Olympic distance) two years in a row. He also placed second in the St. George Triathlon (Sprint distance), but, like the other triathletes, he mostly enjoys the satisfaction that comes with crossing the finish line. "Once you've finished, you've accomplished something that no one can take away," he said.

This year, when Mark and Lynise went to the DinoLand Triathlon website to register, they discovered the race had been cancelled. They contacted a former organizer, gathered the equipment and information they needed, and, with the help of a few friends, organized the 2010 DinoLand Triathlon. They also put together the first ever Vernal kids' triathlon. "We want kids, especially our kids, to know that exercise doesn't have to be grueling. It can be fun!" Lynise stated. Sixty-five children participated, including the Masons' children—all the way down to their 5 year old!

"Training for triathlons has changed our lives for the better," Lynise said. "It has improved our lives in ways I wouldn't have even imagined. I tell my friends that, and I've convinced several of them to train, too."

 

* "Ironman" is a registered name for a full, or Ultra Distance, triathlon and is recognized internationally.