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Highlands Today

Training For Triathlon Is Over, Now It's Time

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: July 11, 2008

Updated:

SEBRING - For Saturday's and Sunday's triathletes, training is over and it's time to cope with pre-race jitters, tune up the bike and gorge on carbs at Saturday's pasta bash.

Greg Griffin, 31, is looking forward to the big event. He has competed in about 20 triathlons.

Griffin looked back on his training regimen for the 2008 Heartland Triathlon, but didn't wonder if he'd worked hard to prepare.

Workouts began many mornings at 5:45 at Fitness Together, a new business behind the Lakeshore Mall.

Along with a personal trainer, Griffin worked hard to improve his cardiovascular system.

When he was 16, Griffin was struck with what he said was a direct lightning hit. He was revived, thanks to a bystander who knew enough CPR to likely make the difference.

Late last year, Griffin had another "cardio event," which hospitalized him.

Although he'd never formally trained for a triathlon, the college soccer player developed an early morning working relationship with a trainer at Fitness Together.

Practice for each of the three triathlon components, biking, running and swimming took a back seat to speed drills, low weight/ high repetition weight training and balance work.

Fitness Together owner Matthew L. Collar and staff even put the triathlete on an individualized diet program, which took into account the intensity of the workouts.

"Matthew was already an athlete in shape," said Collar. "We tried to give him an edge when doing extreme activity."

During the hour-long sessions, trainers zeroed in on cardiovascular work, according to Jessica Wright, personal trainer.

"We keep the heart rate up the whole session," said Wright. "So when they get to the triathlon, they are able to perform at their peak."

Griffin worked the program with a goal to be more "competitive" Sunday, but more importantly to improve his basic health.

The contractor for Total Site Solutions LLC. said on Thursday that work kept him busy and he exercised less, while his diet suffered.

"The triathlon was the carrot dangling out there in front of my face, but basic health and quality of life were the reasons I trained," said Griffin.

YMCA Kids Ready To Go

Mike Ritacco, personal trainer at the Sebring YMCA, was pleased that 15 child athletes will get a chance to prove themselves during Saturday's kid's event.

Regular rain didn't put a damper on the two sessions per week workouts.

"Several (student athletes) have the opportunity to get into the top 10 and most have personal goals to finish without stopping or doing as well as they can," said Ritacco. "We stressed doing as well as you can - not winning - but reaching their personal goals."

Triathlon Is Ready To Go

Organizers are predicting a bigger and better Heartland Triathlon than ever.

Four-hundred athletes participated last year, and Sarah Pallone, interim Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce president, expects even more runners for the upcoming third annual event on July 12 and July 13.

Dave Scott is a six-time Ironman World Champion and the most recognized athlete and triathlon coach. Scott is the featured speaker at Saturday night's pasta dinner.

Scott will give swim clinics on Saturday, July 12 for both adults and kids. He will offer hints and suggestions to ensure a successful and enjoyable swim. The adult clinic will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the kids' session will follow at 10:30 a.m.

At noon, Saturday, July 12, Florida All American/Honorable Mention Athletes (the top 5 percent of competitive triathletes) will lunch with Scott, by invitation only.

The kids triathlon will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 12, and Scott will be there to help cheer on the participants. The award ceremony will follow.

At 6 p.m., a pasta bash will begin, with Scott speaking at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are now available at the Sebring Chamber Welcome Center for $15.

At 7:30 a.m., on Sunday, July 13, Scott will speak and then participate in the 2008 triathlon. Awards and photos will follow.

For more information, go to www.heartlandtri.org or call Cherie Starr at 402-3162.

ROAD CLOSURES
• The outside lane of U.S. 27, on the eastern side of Lake Jackson, will be closed during Sunday's race. Motorists will be able to use two inside lanes for the duration of the event. Traffic cones will be placed along the entire route to keep motorists out of the triathlon bike lane.

•Three lanes for much of Lakeview Drive to the south and west of Sebring Public Library/City Pier will be closed to vehicle traffic so that cyclists can travel south. Most of the outside lane of Lakeview Drive will remain open so that drivers can access the north and southbound detours.

•North and South Ridgewood Drive and most of the downtown Circle will be closed from the Sebring Parkway to the Sebring Public Library/ City Pier, along with a portion of Lakeview Drive near the library/pier.

•Downtown detour route for northbound traffic: Right from Lakeview Drive onto South Eucalyptus Avenue, continue on North Eucalyptus Avenue, then make left turn to the Sebring Parkway.

•Downtown detour route for southbound traffic: Left from the Sebring Parkway onto North Eucalyptus Avenue, continue on South Eucalyptus Avenue, then left onto Lakeview Drive.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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