Laura Ann Johnson is not one to back down from a challenge, which is why she agreed to step in and fill the spot of cyclist on the team of Meggen Peterson and Deb Sears in Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Michigan in Frankfort. This despite being the busy mom of two, working as a training specialist at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, and getting ready for an out-of-state move with her husband Tom just days after the race. Laura Ann, who’s been participating in triathlons since 2015, started training in June for the 56-mile ride. So, how did the race go?
“So great!!!” Laura Ann reported. “The weather was perfect!!! The bike course was really nice. A few hills but when you live in Leelanau county you are very used to hills. Miles 18-25 were a little tough, just didn’t feel like I was going as fast as I wanted, but then I saw the 30 mile sign and things changed. Once I hit mile 45 I felt like I had more in me so I went for it! Took the horse to the barn so to speak. It was the fastest average pace I have ever ridden.”
She shares that “the tricky thing about tri’s is you have to ride your race. You get passed by lots of people in the beginning, but you have to stick with your plan so you have more to give at the end or on your run after your bike.”
No doubt Laura Ann’s team of cheerleaders, including husband Tom, 4-year-old Abner, and 18-month-old Florence, are what really spurred this ambitious mom on.
Anyone for renaming this event the Iron(wo)man?
