Editor’s note — In May, the Globe reported about the formation of a group in Pittsburg called G.O. Tri, made up of 22 women interested in training for triathlons. Here’s an update on the group’s progress.
By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Mary Zeigler, 43, decided that this was the year she would start checking off all the goals and dreams on her life list. Among them: Complete a triathlon.
That goal could be realized on Aug. 1, when she, along with several other group members, competes in the Win for KC Triathlon.
“My primary goal, however, is to be able to live each day to the fullest by staying active and developing healthy, supportive relationships,” she said of her decision.
Zeigler is a member of the newly formed G.O. Tri, a triathlon training group for Pittsburg-area women. She has joined in the group’s frequent training drills in swimming, running and biking. She said she now “has faith” that she will be able to complete the 500-meter swim, 10-mile bike ride and five-kilometer run required of the August triathlon.
By contrast, Rebecca Lomshek, 38, has competed in road and mountain-bike races for the past 18 years. She knows what it takes, both mentally and physically, to come out a winner.
But when Lomshek joined the group, she did have a fear of swimming in open water. In fact, she has always avoided getting her face in the water and thus has never done the strokes properly.
And while she rides her bike frequently, she has not run since high school.
So far, Lomshek has managed through membership in G.O. Tri to maintain a rigorous training schedule: run two days a week, swim laps at least one day a week, and ride at least four days a week.
She also has taken advantage of instruction whenever possible.
“The cool thing about the club is that there are local ladies who do triathlons putting together clinics to help those of us who need extra practice and training in a particular area,” Lomshek said.
Joanna Rhodes, 32, has competed in some five- and 10-kilometer runs, but she hadn’t ridden a bike in more than six years. She had set a goal at the end of last year to do her first half-marathon in March, but she couldn’t do so because of medical issues.
“After a two-month hiatus, I have started training for the triathlon,” Rhodes said. “It is definitely intimidating.”
Cindy Pfeiffer, 55, has been in training for five “big” events this summer, from a 5K event in Kansas City to the San Francisco Half Marathon.
She, too, has decided to compete in the Win for KC Triathlon on Aug. 1, but she is doing so as a member of a team rather than an individual; her event is the 5K.
Always active, Pfeiffer and her husband have enjoyed walking marathons, and they are working on completing them in all 50 states.
“I have two grown children who are each getting married this year. Finally I have time for myself,” said Pfeiffer, a school-library media specialist.
With an eye toward competing in a whole triathlon on Sept. 12 in Olathe, her goals as a member of the group are simple: train enough to survive the swim, finish the event, and lose some weight.
Pfeiffer has been dedicated when it comes to training during the past month: She and a group of friends went to the YMCA at 6 a.m. each day to work out, and she has managed to work out again every evening.
Group co-founder Anna Noo Noo said she continues to be impressed with the strides, both mentally and physically, that group members make as their training progresses.
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