Spouse uses triathlons to motivate, break routine

By RACHEL JACKSON/THE BAYONETJuly 8, 2010

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Kristi Gullion competed in her first triathlon three months ago and is hooked.

"I wanted to stay in shape and I needed something to motivate me, so I signed up for a triathlon," she said. "It gave me a goal to shoot for and made me feel I was working toward something."

The 24-year-old military spouse said she was bored with her workout routine, which is why she decided to compete in triathlons.

"You can only work out on the treadmill for so long," she said. "It gets boring when you do the same thing over and over and over again. I wanted to mix it up a little bit. There are so many different ways you can train for (a triathlon)."

Her first triathlon was the Mullet Man at Gulf Shores, Ala., in April. Since then, she has competed in the Callaway Gardens Sprint Triathlon and the AFLAC Iron Girl Women's Triathlon in June. In the Iron Girl, she placed seventh in her division.

She said her key to success in triathlons is to train evenly.

"If you don't train evenly, you'll get smoked in the race," Gullion said.

Her regimen includes a total of eight hours of running, cycling and swimming six days a week, alternating exercises each day.

"If I miss any training, I feel like I am missing out on something," she said.

Drive, determination and discipline are also a necessity in triathlons, Gullion said.

Those are characteristics Gullion doesn't lack, said Joanne Cain, her triathlon training coach.

"(Kristi) is a very focused, dedicated and a good all-around athlete," Cain said. "She has improved leaps and bounds since she started. She went from not cycling or swimming to completing the Iron Girl."

Up next for Gullion is the Olympic-distance Callaway Gardens Triathlon, which will be Sept. 5. The triathlon will include a 1K swim around Robin Lake, a 30K cycling course and an 8K run.

"I am really nervous about the swim at Callaway," she said. "It's really challenging. I got tired on the swim (last time at Callaway). I am hoping I can pace myself and not have to take a break."

She plans on competing in the Mullet Man again in 2011.