Program promotes changes

Jim Gensheer and his wife, Mo, were both standout athletes in their youth. Jim, a multi-sport athlete in Colorado, and Mo, a swimmer on the French national team, were in peak physical condition and likely boasted physiques worthy of envy.

However, the Gensheers, now in their 60s, have dealt with a number of health procedures ranging from a cardiac stent to knee surgery, making it difficult for the couple to partake in physical activities.

So when the opportunity came up to train for a triathlon through University Hospital and Health Central's TriUniversity program, the couple was all for it.

"We jumped at the chance to do this," said Mo Gensheer. "It just sort of reached out and grabbed us and said 'this is your moment. This is your time. You're going to do this.' "

The eight-session program features a series of clinics where participants work with coaches and mentors to aid in building confidence, skill and strategy in the three disciplines of the triathlon, focusing on just one area per session.

It is geared toward preparing those for the 2010 Sprint Triathlon at Langley Pond in April. A sprint is the shortest version of triathlon, consisting of a 750-meter swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run.

"We're promoting lifestyle changes," said program coordinator Roxane Patterson. "Our main goal is focused towards those folks that aren't doing any exercise. We call them 'the coach potato to the finish line.' We're trying to give them the motivation to show them that anyone can do a triathlon."

Patterson says she was impressed with turnout for the program's initial clinic last week.

Thus far, about 50 people have signed up, which far exceeded the expectations of the TriUniversity staff.

Overall, the staff expects that most participants will gain more satisfaction from the ability to complete the six-month course rather than their final result in the Sprint Triathlon. The belief is that if they do that, they'll continue to pursue a healthy way of living beyond the walls of Health Central.

"These people may not catch the triathlon bug to keep going but we believe that since they've committed themselves to complete the course, they're likely to go on with some form of exercise after that," Patterson said.

Reach Joey Jones at (706) 823-3304 or joey.jones@augustachronicle.com.