Donna McMahon - Triathlete

2002 Race Highlights
16 Races - 5 Wins Running - 0 Wins Triathlon - 1 Win Biathlon

2001 Year in Review
Give Me a BREAK!

Not that kind of BREAK!
(Broke hand playing hardball while recuperating.)

2001, What a year! Started out so promising; my 5k's were right on target for a PR filled year. I had great races at the very challenging Kings Park and at the highly competitive ASPIRE 10k setting PR's in both. The Long Island marathon went perfectly too. I felt great, broke three hours, and won for the second straight year. My triathlon training also was going well. Then at Blackwater Eagleman I got a flat and lost too much time fixing it so I DNF'd and just made it into a long workout for Ironman Lake Placid. I raced two triathlons and two duathlons before IM Lake Placid and they went well too.

Throughout the year, I was having a little trouble with my piraformis and hamstring. I was getting treated for it and didn't think it would blossom into a major problem. They became very tight during the bike in Lake Placid and worsened in the run. I finished with a disappointing 10:38. Even though I qualified for Hawaii, I focused on IM Florida instead hoping to again qualify for Hawaii 2002.

At Ironman Florida, I had to play catch up after the swim as I always have to do. I was having a great ride; passing a lot of the other pro women, and then POW!!! At approximately Mile 70 on the bike, my piraformis and hamstring were tightening quickly. Things just got worse; As soon as the run started, my gait was very awkward and I knew that it was going to be a long and painful run. I did not know how bad it was going to be. As a result of my messed up gait I tore my Achilles tendon and finished in 11:11. Now I am uncertain when I can run, bike, or swim again. My season came to an abrupt end.

I have learned a lot this past week and know the importance of listening to my body. Rest is a very important aspect of training and if it is neglected, as in my case, major injuries may occur. I will now let my body rest and recover and focus on rebuilding next year and having the best year yet in running, triathlon, and life!!!