Endurance is tough to contain but, it is the manifestation of discipline.  Endurance is hunger, need for achievement and the motivator to find new a new challenge.  Mundane routine is not its bastion, it thrives on fresh experience.

In our ongoing Profiles inEnduance we feature active Life Time Fitness member Maggie Manning, 27,who is training for her first triathlon.  Maggie, a Minnesota transplant to Illinois (home club:  Schaumburg) has only been a member since May 2009 but, is already going gangbusters.  Claims Representative by day, Maggie finds a way to steadily train and has run in seven marathons (finishing six).  Now she wants to conquer a triathlon and the Ironman.

Rob Sidenberg: What makes you want to try a tri? 

Maggie Manning: I grew up swimming and currently run marathons. I get really bored with just one thing, so I figured a tri would be perfect for me!

RS:  I heard you were a swimmer in college, Do you think this will be an advantage?

MM: I definitely think a background in swimming will be an advantage, especially since swimming is the hardest part for most people.

RS:  How does being a part of Life Time Fitness help you with your training?

MM: Life Time has so many resources.  The group cycle instructors are awesome, the lap pool is open 24/7, there are so many weight machines to work on strength training, and the personal trainers are fantastic!

RS:  What does it take physically, mentally?

MM: Iam just getting started with my training, but I can only imagine it will take dedication and a lot of hard work to get my body conditioned to swim, bike and run one after the other.  Mentally it will be important to keep my goal of finishing an Ironman on my mind, but to take training one step at a time.

RS:  What’s the toughest part of training for you?

MM:  Getting myself to the club or out on the trail after a long day at work. Running is definitely the hardest part just because I don’t have any running partners to keep me accountable.

RS:  Do you let your mind go free when training, or how do you focus?

MM:  Mostly I stay focused.  I picture myself during a race with a few competitors just in front of me.  I keep them in my sights and as I get close to the finish kick it in and pass them by.

RS: Do you listen to music when you run/train? 

MM: I listen to my i-pod when I run.

RS: What are some of your favorite training/running tunes? 

MM: I like a little bit of techno mixed in with harder rock…something that has a fast beat to keep the cadence up.

RS:  How do you balance training time with down time?

MM:  I like to train hard on the weekends and take at least one day off during the week.

RS:  What do you do to relax? 

MM: Watch TV or a movie, or the weirdest part…watch my boyfriend play video games!

RS: Have you had sports related injuries? 

MM:  Years ago I had some pain in my shoulder from swimming, but I think that is long gone.  A few years ago I had some IT pain in the left knee and this summer had some pretty bad shin splints on the left leg.

RS: What did it take to recover from them? 

MM:  Both the IT pain and shin splints just took time off to heal.  I pushed through the pain while training for my races, but as soon as they were done I took a few weeks/months off and slowly worked my way back into a routine.

RS: Do you run with a run club or solo?  What’s the difference or pros/cons? 

MM:  Unfortunately I run solo.  I think having a group to run with would be a huge benefit because then you have someone else to be accountable to and to help motivate you.

RS:  What’s your favorite movie?

MM: I would have to say Six Days Seven Nights with Harrison Ford and AnneHeche.  Everytime my parents and I couldn’t decide on a movie we wouldpop it in!

RS: Have you been a cyclist or is that a new element to learn? 

MM: Like most little kids I would ride my bicycle to a friend’s house, but as an adult I really haven’t biked much outdoors.  I really enjoy group cycle classes indoors.  It will just be a matter of transitioning from indoors to outdoors.

RS: What is a typical training day like for you?

MM: Depends…I am trying to spread out the biking and swimming for now.  I run about a mile to Life Time, go to group cycle class or for a swim, and then run home.  I kind of wish Life Time was not so close to home so I could get more running in.

RS:  What’s your favorite training snack?

MM: Bananas, blueberries and Triscuits.  Not together of course!

RS: What is your inspiration for taking your achievements to the next level?

MM: Afew years ago I saw the recap of the 2005 Ironman Hawaii and was inspired by Jon Blais’ story.  He was a 34 year old man who had been diagnosed with ALS.  He competed in the Ironman and he finished!  I wasso amazed that he was able to finish something so grueling that most people would never even try.  His story made me want to try an Ironman.

RS: What sort of advice do you have for others who may be just starting out in their training? 

MM: Set your goals and don’t give up until you reach them!  Push yourself a little further than you think you can go each workout.  Most importantly, add some fun into your workouts!