Local Mom Prepares for First Ironman
As if being a wife, mom, and school nurse weren't enough, a local woman could soon add the title Ironman to her list.
"I just started out small and I got a bigger goal in mind," Marybeth Tonkery said.
Her journey to the Ironman Lake Placid Triathlon started two years ago during her first competitive race in Geneva, NY.
"It's just a challenge for yourself. It's being competitive with yourself. It's not so much with the people in the race, it’s just how much can you do? How much farther can you go? How much faster can you go?" Tonkery said.
Tonkery says balancing training, her career, and family has been a challenge of its own.
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"I would come right home from work, get my workout done then get my kids from daycare and come home and do all the other things we need to do. On the weekends my husband's been really supportive," Tonkery said.
The Ironman at Lake Placid is a little more than two weeks away, and Tonkery’s training has gotten intense. It sometimes takes up to 14 hours out of her day.
"It's so hard for us to put ourselves first, and I think that's important. That moms need that time on their own and they need to show their kids that I'm important, too, and I need some time, and I need to make myself healthy, so I can take care of you as well," Tonkery said.
Tonkery expects the Ironman will take her about 15 hours to complete.
It starts with a 2.4 mile swim, then a 112-mile bike ride, and it ends with a full marathon.
"I have so much more energy now being around the kids, and I just feel strong and healthy, and I just feel like could do anything almost," Tonkery said.
Tonkery says her enthusiasm is starting to rub off on her kids.
She says her daughter has been running on the treadmill and trying to follow along when she rides close to home.
Tonkery says seeing her family is what she'll look forward to most when she crosses the finish line July 26.
The wife, mom, and school nurse turned triathlete got a small taste
of the pain and pride ahead when she tested the bike route in Lake Placid a few weeks ago.
"I felt better after that knowing I could get through that 112 miles and it kind of calmed me down. Now, I’m more excited than I am nervous. It’s been quite a journey," Tonkery said.
Last year more than 2,000 people took part in the Ironman Lake Placid Triathlon.
For more information click on the link below.
Ironman Lake Placid Triathlon