Two moms qualify for national triathlon

Ali Black always considered herself a gymnast. And Cherell Jordin did not know how to swim two years ago.

But the two women found fun, new friends and success participating in triathlons. They are among a group of 13 Utahns who have qualified for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 scheduled for Nov. 14 in Clearwater, Fla.

The event includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bicycle ride and a 13.1-mile run. Black and Jordin are among more than 1,800 domestic and international competitors who made the cut at one of the 33 Ironman 70.3 qualifying events.

The two moms qualified earlier this year in Boise with nearly identical times: 5 hours 11 minutes for Salt Lake City's Black, and 5 hours 12 minutes for

Sandy's Jordin. Both are hoping for a 4:45 time in the international competition, which is held on a flatter course at sea level.

Black, a 33-year-old mother of four children ages 3, 5, 7 and 9, said she has always been an athlete. She was a competitive gymnast for Rocky Mountain Gymnastics for 10 years.

"I ran marathons and, a few years ago, a friend talked me into buying a road bike," said Black. "I tried that and I instantly found I had some talent and had some success. My weakness is my swim. I had no swimming background at all. It's not hard, but my times are not as competitive."

Jordin, the 37-year-old mother of a 7 and a 5 year old, had even more problems with swimming: She said that two years ago, she didn't

know much about swimming.

"I really wanted to do triathlon," she said. "I enjoyed bike racing and wanted a new challenge. I loved watching the sport of triathlon and knew it was something I could do if I could put together a swim. I could not swim more than a couple of pool lengths without being exhausted. So I found good local coaches to figure how to swim."

Her strategy worked. Jordin won four local triathlons this year.

Both women love the training aspects of the sport.

"I like the variety of exercise," said Jordin. "You really have to train in three sports. And I have met a lot of friends. I met Ali because she was training for the same sports I was. Triathlon has brought a lot of new friends into my social circle and life. And I am in the best shape of my whole life at 37."

Black said she does most of her training in the early morning hours between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m., though she rides a trainer bike in the basement while her youngest plays.

"The kids love that I do it," she explained. "It has taught them the value of good health and good nutrition. People ask me 'How do you have the energy?' Exercising and training makes me who I am and gives me the energy to be mom the rest of the time. It energizes me and provides a healthy lifestyle not only physically but emotionally."

She also said that stretching, massage and good nutrition make a big difference in preventing injuries. Black feels as though training for three disciplines keeps her more injury free than just training for marathons because she doesn't spend all her time training on her feet.

Both women said having supportive husbands who also enjoy participating helps.

"My husband [Romney Black] is a triathlete, though he's not competitive," said Black. "He is extremely supportive and I could not do it without him. He's a dentist so he is flexible on certain days."

Jordin said her husband Aaron was the first family member to participate in triathlons.

"I got into it last year," she said. "I love to bike and have done a lot of bike races and I love to run and have done some marathons but did not know how to swim."

Both women hope to be competitive in their age group, where winners qualify for the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Challenge. The race starts and finishes at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach.

wharton@sltrib.com