Triathlon — Gini Fellows

IRONMAN Florida, November 5, 2016

IMFL 2016 Race Report

This may be the mother of long race reports! There are so many people to thank, I tried to cover everyone in my pre-race comments, my husband Bill, my fabulous son and coach, Patrick, his wife, Jeanne, and my grandchildren Paige and Ian, and Marc, who came from Belgium, and to all of my friends who came to the race, and those who cheered and followed from afar.

Seeing familiar faces on the racecourse was absolutely the BEST! I think I was more anxious than I thought, but I really thought I felt calm. I have to admit my patience was a bit thin. My thoughts always came back to “Pat has always gotten me ready, and this is no different.” I completely trust his coaching.

Gini Fellows Lookin' Good and About To Be an Ironman

Originally published in Huffington Post on November 4, 2016

I checked in with Gini Thursday evening, and she seemed remarkably calm. Here’s an excerpt of our conversation.

Carolee Belkin Walker: So, wow, the race is on Saturday! How are you feeling?

Gini Fellows: Physically I feel great, and I know I’m prepared. I didn’t think I was nervous until last night so I thought, oh, you better go to bed. There’s a lot going on at the Ironman Village. We’ve had a Facebook group this past year so there is a get together.

Long Distance Training

This week held the longest ride and my longest training run. We headed back to Canada for their Thanksgiving, and I was able to run/walk 15 miles in three hours. The ride was the Southern Magnolia 100 last Sunday, October 2.

For the Southern Magnolia, it was a beautiful morning with comfortable temperatures. One of my friends decided to ride with me, and we headed out for the country roads where there was very little vehicle traffic. A few dogs, none of which seemed vicious, and only wanted to run, had chased us. We were riding along when two dogs were in the middle of the road. They turned and saw us, and came ambling up wagging their tails. The large chocolate lab was extremely friendly, so friendly that he walked up to me, and while I was trying to get to the side of the road he walked into my front wheel.

We both went down!

Endurance sports, Fitness, Gini Fellows, Ironman, RunningGini FellowsOctober 13, 2016Running, Cycling, Triathlon, Ironman Triathlon, Ironman FloridaComment

Sport in perspective

This week has been “what were you thinking when you signed up for an Ironman?” I know I am obsessing about the swim, mostly. Will I be able to complete it in the time limit? Can I get through the breakers? Why didn’t I sign up for IM Chattanooga, with a down river swim? Will I be able to keep up the cadence during the bike? The run will be about survival. The list goes on and on.

Journey versus adventure

This week was a little easier as far as the runs were concerned. My knees have been sore and stiff, and my legs were cramping. The longest run I did this week was one hour and fifteen minutes. Fortunately it was a little cooler so it went well. After the run I did some yoga and all was well. At least until Saturday night when we had a party at the yacht club and I danced for a couple of hours, in sandals. Sunday morning my legs felt pretty sore.

Endurance sports, Fitness, Gini Fellows, IronmanGini FellowsAugust 11, 2016Triathlon, Ironman TriathlonComment

Fartleks and Swimming in Rondeau Bay

Fartleks, according to Wikipedia, is Swedish for "speed play" and a "training method that blends continuous training with interval training.“ I guess I have been doing them right along and am just now putting a word with it.

First of all I hate the word “fart.”

Endurance sports, Fitness, IronmanGini FellowsJuly 7, 2016Triathlon, Ironman TriathlonComment

Grandman Triathlon, June 4, 2016

As of Saturday it is five months until Ironman Florida 2016.

I have lots of work to do and am fortunate to rely on some really great triathletes. I love the community of triathletes and find the majority of athletes to be supportive. I belong to two groups: Freshjunkie Racing, based in Louisiana, and the Ticking Time Bombs, the local tri club on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Both groups consistently encourage each other prior to, during, and after the races.

I am lucky to be able to have a group of friends that are close to my age, as well as, the same age as our son, and younger. I have been included as one of the athletes, despite our age differences. A few don’t know what to make of this old woman in what is mostly a young person's sport. They include me in post-race parties, and dinners and treat me as an equal. Some are comfortable enough to tease me about my age, especially when it comes to the music that is played at races.

Endurance sports, Fitness, Gini Fellows, IronmanGini FellowsJune 7, 2016Triathlon, Grandman Triathlon, IronmanComment

The Breakers

I am thinking this week is the beginning of some of the roller coaster emotions, and workouts.

On Tuesday I was finally able to do the Bike Heart Rate test. All I have to see is the word "test," and I begin to think I should get an A. I learned that I can ride very hard for an extended period of time and my heart rate does go above 138.

Is that good or bad? Actually it is what it is.

Endurance sports, Fitness, Gini Fellows, IronmanGini FellowsJune 3, 2016Ironman, TriathlonComment

On the Road to Ironman Florida

My name is Gini Fellows. In August of 2016, I will turn 70 years old, and I am doing Ironman Florida. This will be my first, and last, full Ironman triathlon...

Fitness, Endurance sports, Ironman, Gini FellowsGini FellowsMay 13, 2016Ironman, Triathlon Comments