Lynnsay Swan was 50 years old and didn’t have a regular exercise routine when she decided to get herself into shape.
Now, the 52-year-old mother of four is ready to tackle her first triathlon. The Scottish-born Columbus resident plans to compete in Saturday’s 23rd Annual Columbus Challenge Triathlon.
“First of all, I just thought it was a great way to get in shape,” Swan said. “I have a friend who has done the triathlon before, and she was kind of encouraging me. I started cycling last year and loved the cycling, and she kind of convinced me to do it.”
That was a year-and-a-half ago. Swan started swimming in January, then started running seriously in April.
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She’s now in the best shape of her life.
“I couldn’t really swim very well before then, and as the months went on, I really appreciate the fact that I’m fit and healthy at my age to do it, and it’s a challenge,” Swan said. “I’ve had several friends and family members pass away with cancer in the last two years, so it’s really tough. But it just inspired me, and just thought, ‘I’m fit. I’m healthy. I’ll just do it.'”
Swan grew up in Scotland and moved to England in 1994. With her husband working for Cummins, they moved to South Africa in 2000, Singapore in 2006, Columbus in 2007, back to South Africa in 2011 and back to Columbus in 2013.
As workforce education coordinator at McDowell Education Center, Swan helps students with resumes, applications, finding work — anything related to employment.
Although Swan says she doesn’t weigh herself, she knows she’s much more fit than she’s ever been.
“I’m healthy,” she said. “I actually feel strong. I actually feel bad when I’m not doing exercise. I feel guilty. If I take a day off, I feel like I should be doing something.”
Following Saturday’s adventure, which will feature an 800-meter swim, 12-mile bike and 5K (3.1-mile) run, Swan plans to keep exercising — even if it means doing only two of the three disciplines of the triathlon.
“Running is the hardest part, and I don’t enjoy that as much,” she said. “Cycling is really my favorite thing to do. I love to cycle. I really like swimming, so I’m going to keep swimming and keep cycling. I don’t know how much running I’m going to keep doing. I don’t really love the running part.”
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What: Columbus Challenge Triathlon, Duathlon, 10K and 5K
When: 8 a.m. Saturday
Where: Tipton Lakes Marina
How to register: Registration will be available at the packet pickup/cookout from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. today and 6 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Tipton Lakes Marina.
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