Grayslake Resident to Compete in IRONMAN World Championship

When the IRONMAN World Championship race kicks off Oct. 12 in Kona, HI, a Grayslake resident will be among the participants. 

Lauri Robinson qualified for the race after finishing second in her age group at a qualifying event in September 2012. While she has competed in IRONMAN events in the past—eight of them, to be exact—this will be her first time competing in the World Championship event in Hawaii.

"This, I just feel, is for the fun. It's the reward for all the hard work I did to get here," said Robinson. 

Athletes will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a full marathon, which is 26.2 miles.

Matt Petersen, owner of The Fitness Pursuit in Grayslake, is Robinson's coach. He said Robinson's journey to the IRONMAN has been 10 years in the making. He said it "started with overall fitness improvements, like getting leaner, stronger and working on understanding on how to swim, bike and run as a triathlete does.

"As she progressed and goals continued to reach higher and higher, we fine-tuned technique in all three sports, getting stronger, understanding daily nutrition, improving fueling practices and pinpointing possible improvements," said Petersen. 

Robinson said she follows a regimented fitness routine that includes multiple workouts each day. 

"It gets a little more intense six to eight weeks out, and then it calms back down," said Robinson. She said triathletes spend a lot of time training alone going on six-hour bike rides. "You have to learn to deal with being by yourself for six hours."

Now, Robinson said, being a triathlete is just her lifestyle.

"So (the IRONMAN World Championship) is no different than any other event. I love the training. I love the journey of this," said Robinson.

She loves meeting other triathletes at events.

"I can't say enough about the people who participate in these types of sports," said Robinson. "They're so positive. The support in this spot is so amazing. The people you meet are amazing. It does take a lot of dedication."

She said she's not nervous about Saturday's competition. 

"I was just talking to Matt about that—like, 'Should I be nervous?'" she said. "But I'm not. I'm sure as I get closer, I will be. The hype is crazy down here right now (in Hawaii). I'm just trying to stay away from that. It'll be more intense tomorrow and Saturday morning, of course. I just try to stay within myself and do some meditation."

Petersen said he is proud of Robinson.

"She has continued to improve and live this lifestyle of wellness or TRI," said Petersen. "She continues to look into ways she can improve and enjoy movement. Not only does she enjoy it, she has, too, taken on the status of coach and personal trainer. She has really influenced those around her, too. I just love how we can change one person at a time, but it is very infectious!"