Barbara Appleton hopes a different approach will lead to better results at the upcoming Big Fish Triathlon.
Appleton, 52, of Hadley Township, will compete in her second straight Big Fish Triathlon, slated for Saturday, June 17 at Big Fish Lake State Park, which is part of the Ortonville Recreation Area in Hadley Township.
The Big Fish event is actually split up into three separate events: the triathlon (in which contestants swim 1.5k, bike 40k and run 10k), sprint triathlon (swim 500m, bike 20k and run 5k) and duathlon (run 5k, bike 20k and run 5k).
Last year, Appleton estimated she completed the triathlon in one hour, 33 minutes. She said she would like to take two to three minutes off that time, and to do so, she said she is focusing more on running during her training, as opposed to last year, where she focused on all three events equally.
‘I’ve actually trained all winter,? she said. ‘I’ve been trying to increase my mileage with running each week. I’ve also been reading Runner’s World ? they have workouts you can do. Since I did really well in the swim and bike portions last year, I’ve been focusing on running.?
Last year’s Big Fish event was the first triathlon located in Michigan in which Appleton competed. She previously competed in a New Jersey triathlon.
On Sept. 11, 2005, Appleton competed in the Stoney Creek Triathlon at Stoney Creek Lake, a recreation area off of M-59 in the Rochester area. ‘I did very well, but it was a very hot day ? it was 95 degrees by 10 a.m.,? she said.
Appleton said she has received plenty of support in her training from husband Jeff and their three daughters ? Courtney, 28, Ashley, 25, and Samantha, 20.
In addition, Appleton, who is the pool director at Davison Athletic Club, G-2140 Fairway Dr., Davison, said she has also received plenty of support from the people she works with at the club.
‘I’ve introduced a lot of people there to the triathlon,? she said. ‘It’s kind of neat ? I’m old enough to be their mom, but we train together. A lot of them are doing their first triathlon at the Big Fish Triathlon.?
Appleton said she will remain ‘pretty consistent? with her training leading up to the big day, and is looking forward to a good showing.
‘I will be nervous, but I’m sure I’ll be fine,? she said. ‘I want to do well, though.?
to do so, she said she is focusing more on running during her training, as opposed to last year, where she focused on all three events equally.
‘I’ve actually trained all winter,? she said. ‘I’ve been trying to increase my mileage with running each week. I’ve also been reading Runner’s World ? they have workouts you can do. Since I did really well in the swim and bike portions last year, I’ve been focusing on running.?
Last year’s Big Fish event was the first triathlon located in Michigan in which Appleton competed. She previously competed in a New Jersey triathlon.
On Sept. 11, 2005, Appleton competed in the Stoney Creek Triathlon at Stoney Creek Lake, a recreation area off of M-59 in the Rochester area. ‘I did very well, but it was a very hot day ? it was 95 degrees by 10 a.m.,? she said.
Appleton said she has received plenty of support in her training from husband Jeff and their three daughters ? Courtney, 28, Ashley, 25, and Samantha, 20.
In addition, Appleton, who is the pool director at Davison Athletic Club, G-2140 Fairway Dr., Davison, said she has also received plenty of support from the people she works with at the club.
‘I’ve introduced a lot of people there to the triathlon,? she said. ‘It’s kind of neat ? I’m old enough to be their mom, but we train together. A lot of them are doing their first triathlon at the Big Fish Triathlon.?
Appleton said she will remain ‘pretty consistent? with her training leading up to the big day, and is looking forward to a good showing.
‘I will be nervous, but I’m sure I’ll be fine,? she said. ‘I want to do well, though.?
two to three minutes off that time, and to do so, she said she is focusing more on running during her training, as opposed to last year, where she focused on all three events equally.
‘I’ve actually trained all winter,? she said. ‘I’ve been trying to increase my mileage with running each week. I’ve plenty of support in her training from husband Jeff and their three daughters ? Courtney, 28, Ashley, 25, and Samantha, 20.
In addition, Appleton, who is the pool director at Davison Athletic Club, G-2140 Fairway Dr., Davison, said she has also received plenty of support from the people she works with at the club.
‘I’ve introduced a lot of people there to the triathlon,? she said. ‘It’s kind of neat ? I’m old enough to be their mom, but we train together. A lot of them are doing their first triathlon at the Big Fish Triathlon.?
Appleton said she will remain ‘pretty consistent? with her training leading up to the big day, and is looking forward to a good showing.
‘I will be nervous, but I’m sure I’ll be fine,? she said. ‘I want to do well, though.?