Need a challenge? Race a triathlon! That's what D3 Multisport Athlete of the Month and TrainingPeaks member Joe Vrablik did - and continues to do!
Joe Vrablik needed something to get excited about. Then he discovered triathlon. "For various reasons, my life had just hit rock bottom. I was overweight, out of shape and not much to be proud of. Something in me just reached a point of being tired of it all. I started working out and losing weight. A friend in the office at the time was training for Ironman Lake Placid. He worked out with me occasionally and was very encouraging. He challenged me to race a triathlon the following summer. I accepted."
Training with a friend motivated Joe to starting thinking about racing triathlon, too. Once he started thinking about racing, having a goal to work towards motivated him even more and encouraged him to stay focused in his training. "After I started working out, a friend of mine offered to swim with me. He was training for Ironman Lake Placid at the time and logging a lot of yards in the pool. At the time, I was swimming a lot since it was low impact and I enjoyed it. He encouraged me to think about racing a tri at some point. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it. It gave me a focus and a goal to work towards."
After his first race, at the Race the Rockies series at the Boulder Reservoir in June 2004, Joe knew that he had found something special. "Once I completed my first race, I was hooked. I originally thought I only wanted to do a sprint. That changed quickly. The second race was in Estes Park. The swim was in Lake Estes. We froze! (Although one idiot completed the swim wearing just a Speedo!) Absolutely gorgeous site for a race, though. I started to think about completing an Olympic, then a half, then a full iron. The more I raced, the further I went, the more accomplished I felt."
Setting goals is extremely important for Joe's training. "Setting these various goals gives me a focus. When things get rough, it helps to distract me. When I’m 
just training, without a goal, I tend to lose focus and slide back into old habits that I’d rather keep buried."
Training with D3 Multisport and TrainingPeaks has helped Joe to stay focused on achieving his goals. "I can honestly say that I would not have reached where I am today without the help and guidance of my coach. AJ is extremely knowledgeable and receptive to my own thoughts. He also gives me the swift kick in the ass when needed. I can't thank them enough (Courtney, Mike and Mel as well) for all the support they’ve given me over the years."
Since his first races in Boulder and Estes Park, Joe has traveled to quite a few races, and has trouble picking a favorite. "I’d say it’s a tie between Ironman Wisconsin and St. Croix 70.3. Both are extremely well-run races and have phenomenal support from the local communities, St. Croix especially so. Two nights before the race, the main town of Christiansted throws a huge party called “Jump Up.” Sort of a mini Mardi Gras. And hey, it’s the Caribbean."
Joe's favorite type of triathlon races are Ironman-distance. "There’s so much about the distance that I love. The training for that distance requires a certain focus that spills over into the rest of my life, which is always a bonus. At the end of the day, though, you can’t beat the feeling of accomplishment and the emotion you feel when you cross the finish line. To accomplish something like that, no one can ever take away that feeling."
For the coming season, he is planning to race Ironman Wisconsin again in September. "In the near future is Ironman Wisconsin next September. I have certain goals that I’m hoping to meet. From there I’m hoping to travel some more to races. Perhaps overseas, even. Any recommendations?"
Happy training, Joe!
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Friday, February 4, 2011 at 3:06PM
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