On April 12, Susan Harris was enduring back surgery and soon after, working her way through rehabilitation. She began her strengthening at Ironsmith, a fitness and integrative health facility. Amazingly, in only six months, Harris placed third in her age group in the Capitol of Texas Triathlon. This accomplishment was exceptional, especially since Harris had never before run a race, much less a triathlon.

"I give full credit to the Ironfit program," says Harris. "The coaching is excellent and the program fits my needs, goals and ambitions."

While Harris is now training for the Capitol 10K and Danskin Triathlon in June, she is not the only one benefiting from the Ironfit program. Shawn Colvin, a nationally known musician from Austin, has been training under the Ironfit program in order to compete in the Danskin Triathlon as well. As Colvin became more popular in the music industry, she spent more time on the road and increasingly, less time staying in shape. Eventually, she stopped training all together, but after joining Ironsmith in 1997, she says she is in better shape than ever. She has worked her way back into running and is now training for a triathlon. Since 1989, the Ironfit programs have been helping people train and compete in events, such as triathlons and marathons. Anyone is welcome to join because the training program is designed to fit each person's experience level, fitness status and goals. Sarah Scott, director of Ironfit training, says Ironfit has become increasingly popular, with more and more individuals training for races such as the Motorola Marathon, Capitol 10K and the Danskin Triathlons.

The program is a step-by-step analysis of drills used on land and in water. Ironfit utilizes track and fields drills like sprints, strides, bounding, step-overs, pickups and trail-leg drills. "These drills are designed to improve arm action for running speed and balance." After practicing these track and field drills, participants see and feel a noticeable difference in their running ease and overall time.

Another drill used in the Ironfit program is aqua jogging. This exercise simulates running without putting stress on the knees and joints. Because of buoyancy, a person's regular weight is reduced by 90 percent, decreasing the risk of injury. Colvin says that aqua jogging is an excellent way to increase the heart rate without putting a lot of impact on your body.

By utilizing track and field exercises with aqua jogging, the Ironfit program works to build strength and endurance while also training the body to perform better. For Harris, the program began as rehabilitation and shortly, became an accomplishment she ever could have imagined. Harris says the aqua jogging is an excellent way to begin training because it increases muscle strength and lung capacity. In her case, this conditioning allowed her to move from weight lifting and training in the pool to running and eventually training for a triathlon.

"If someone had told me that I would be going through back surgery and running in a triathlon all in the same year, I wouldn't have believed it," says Harris. "It's definitely going to launch me into bigger and better things."

"Sarah's motto is 'Something is better than nothing,'" adds Colvin. "The program has taught me it's not all or nothing. I've learned that swimming, walking, cycling and watching how you eat are all valid alternatives to running every day."

If interested in the Ironfit program, it is offered to individuals or groups of a maximum of five to six people. The Ironfit programs not only offer  triathlon training, but also provide kickboxing and basketball classes. For more information, visit www.IronsmithInc.com or call 454-4766.

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