It started as a means to lose weight.
In a little less than a year since, it has blossomed into a passion to become fit, eat better and reach goals that once seemed impossible for Kent’s Sheryl Sprague.
“Originally, I started out doing a 5k walk,” said Sprague, who has lost more than 100 pounds during the last year and now weighs in at 350 pounds. “Each one I did told me that I could do more than I originally thought I could do. Sometimes, you’re scared and think, ‘Oh gosh, what if I can’t do this?’ Then you do it, and you’re amazed and wonder, ‘What can I do next?’ “
Sprague’s “next” will be the Lake Meridian Triathlon on Aug. 22, the first event of its kind at the East Hill park. It will be the first triathlon for the 52-year-old Kent woman.
Why now? And why this particular triathlon?
Unlike many of the other triathlons each summer in the area, the event at Lake Meridian offers a Super Sprint Division, which is comprised of a quarter-mile swim, eight-mile bike ride, and two-mile run.
“I had been thinking about (competing in a triathlon) for a while,” Sprague said. “When I found out they were doing the Super Sprint, which is the lesser (of the three) courses, I thought this would be a great way for me to start. I thought it would be a little easier for me. And I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Nothing like this. Sprague did, however, ride in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic last month. She completed 75 miles of the 200-mile extravaganza, and now is taking aim on the triathlon.
Of course, two years ago, triathlons weren’t in the mind — or on the horizon — for Sprague, who is a bookkeeper for Consolidated Foods Inc. in Kent. In fact, becoming serious about nutrition and getting in shape didn’t begin until a little more than a year ago for Sprague, when she met Patty Swedberg, director of Raise the Bar, a Covington-based triathlon training organization.
One of the sub-categories of Raise the Bar is Raise the Hope, which is comprised of women within the triathlon team who, like Sprague, are at a heightened risk of heart disease. The members of Raise the Hope work with coaches, a nutritionist, and a physician to lower their risk of heart disease.
“Patty introduced me to Raise the Hope, which encourages eating better, exercising, and lessens the risk of heart disease,” Sprague noted. “The triathlon was a whole new concept.
“This year, I am going to do it.”
Sprague will be able to complete the triathlon in unique fashion, too. Joining her at the Lake Meridian event will be stars Daris George and Kai Hibbard, along with Matt and Suzy Hoover from the reality television show “The Biggest Loser.”
Her motivation, however, isn’t to meet and compete with a handful of stars, but rather to continue her journey to lose weight. Sprague has lost 130 pounds so far and figures she has “100-and-some to go.”
But she’s getting there.
And she’s loving the direction her life has taken and where it’s going from here.
“I’d love to do a marathon one day,” she said. “Right now, I’m doing what I’ve got to do.”
LAKE MERIDIAN TRIATHLON: AT A GLANCE
• WHEN: Aug. 22, 7 a.m.
• WHERE: Lake Meridian Park (14800 SE 272nd Street)
• CATEGORIES: Sprint, Olympic, Super Sprint. The distances include: Olympic is 1.5 k swim, 40 k bike, 10 k run; The Sprint Division is ½ mile swim, 15.8 mile bike and 3.1 mile run; The Super Sprint Division is .25 mile swim, 8-mile bike, 2-mile run.
• MEET BIGGEST LOSERS: From 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21 at Lake Meridian Park there will be an open registration for the triathlon and a meet-and-greet with Kai Hubbard, Daris George, Matt Hoover and Suzy Hoover, all of whom have starred in the “Biggest Loser.” In addition, those who have already registered for the event can pick up their pre-race packets.
• ON THE WEB: weraisethebar.com or lakemeridiantri.com or raisethehope.com.
• OF NOTE: During the day of the race, traffic on Kent Kangley Road at the entrance of Lake Meridian Park will be impacted between 7:10-10:30 a.m. There will be a lane closure and traffic will be stopped so athletes can cross safely.
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