Two Glasgow residents have been selected to compete at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii

By GAGE WILSON
Glasgow News 1

The Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, will host the very best female professional triathletes from around the world. This year, two of Glasgow’s own were selected to take part in this international competition. Sherri Vibbert-Fox and Belle Thomas are representing Barren County at the 140.6-mile test of endurance.

“I got into triathlons, a little, in college but it wasn’t until I moved to Kentucky that I really started to train,” said Thomas.

Vibbert-Fox had a similar experience, with both women doing their first half-ironman (a 70.3 mile race) in 2016.

Thomas laughed, “We had the same thought once we finished ‘let’s do another one, that wasn’t too bad’ and we were hooked.”

The length of the races is the most daunting aspect of them. Finishing times exceed 12 hours.

“As long as you put in the training, anyone can do it, the most challenging parts are more mental than physical,” Thomas said.

What started their lifelong love for the competitions was of an Ironman their friend had entered in 2015. Thomas recounted waiting at the finish line, “As we were sitting there, waiting for her to come in, and we watched all of these people of every shape, size, age, people with disabilities, even amputees coming through.” Looking on at the athletes, both women were galvanized by the same thought, “If they can do it, why can’t we.”

The first full-ironman that the partners entered was in 2016 in Louisville. Vibbert-Fox pointed out how ludicrous it was that in the span of less than a decade they had gone from “some sprints and races here and there” to being competitors on a global stage with more than 20 competitions between them.

There are many variables for athletes to consider in each of the competitions, which means no two Ironmans are the same.

“The bike paths can be really difficult. This particular race has about 5,000 feet of elevation on their path, mix that in with the heat, it’s brutal” Vibbert-Fox said. “At KONA, we will also be doing an ocean swim, with no wetsuit, which is pretty scary to me.”

Wetsuits are commonly used in the swimming portion of the race, provided the water is cool enough. With the average water temperature being 82 degrees, the competitors would be at a great risk of overheating if a wetsuit is worn. According to the duo, wetsuits are preferable as they offer the swimmer some added buoyancy.

“It’s also a bit of a comfort like a security blanket,” Vibbert-Fox explained.

Qualifying is no easy feat either, with only a limited number of slots for each age division.

“We were at the Tulsa Ironman, so the day following the race when the results were announced, KONA takes the top places and gives them the opportunity to take a slot,” said Vibbert-Fox. “Ninety-five percent of the time those slots will be filled almost immediately.”

The championship will see around 2,500 competitors from across the globe all having qualified for the privilege to get to the starting line.

With both women being fitness instructors at the Barren County YMCA, their ultimate goal is to motivate people with their story. One piece of advice from both of Glasgow’s “Iron-women” is to find someone to help you train, whether it be a friend, spouse or relative, sharing the more grueling aspects of training and the highs of winning is made better with company.