Attack of the Killer Tri, Part I

EDITOR’S NOTE: Meet Veronica McHugh, a participant in this summer’s Killer Tri Program in Santa Barbara. Veronica is using the Killer Tri Program to help prepare and train properly for her first triathlon, which will be the Strawberry Fields short course in Oxnard on July 17. We will be following her progress through her training, and this is our chance to get to know Veronica as we get started.

Check back soon for more stories from Veronica as well as all relevant triathlon news in Santa Barbara throughout the summer.

I have lived in Santa Barbara for close to 9 years now, moving from the Central Valley in California to attend UCSB. After graduating I stayed in town, got a job, and have continued to build my life in Santa Barbara.

We caught up with Veronica during one of the weekly running sessions at La Playa Stadium.

Growing up in Merced, the freezing winters and the desert-hot summers didn’t do much for me. I jumped at the chance to come to college in a place so beautiful, with beaches and weather that I rarely experienced as a kid.

My husband and I were married last November at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and just 3 months later, we got our first pet. As a newlywed and a new puppy parent to a strapping 4 month old Newfoundland, training for a triathlon was not on the forefront of my mind only a month ago.

I have always been an active person, and since graduating from UCSB I had been a member of a local gym, took advantage of the local hiking trails, and enjoyed plenty of beach cruiser rides around town.

In the last 4 years, I decided to increase my activity level and joined Jenny Schatzle’s boot camp. It has been a fantastic way to stay strong and healthy, while giving me motivation and goals to keep up with intense workouts. Jenny pushed me to train for more and more local races and strengthened my running ability.

My good friend Kyle Visin is an incredible triathlete and has competed in countless races all over California. His amazing athletic abilities and endurance strength led him to the Iron Man race in Kona, HI last year. He finished 7th in his age group with a time of 9:11:59.

Kyle and Bob Wilcher have developed a triathlon development program for newbies like me as well as seasoned triathletes. The Killer Tri program tests each individual’s fitness level every 4 weeks so that you can measure your improvement as you train. Bob and Kyle provide weekly workout schedules as well as two 75 minute coaching sessions each week. Their combined knowledge has created a program to help all athletes develop their true potential.

Kyle has long been trying to convince me and my husband to compete in a triathlon so my husband Mike and I both decided to sign up for the Oxnard sprint triathlon in July.

Kyle’s fiancé Shannon (who is also one of my very best friends) is doing the Oxnard duathlon. The three of us first-timers are excited to have a training program to follow as well as the support of the other members of the Killer Tri training program.

While I am excited for my first Tri, I am somewhat anxious about my ability to swim and bike. I recently purchased my first road bike and signed up for Masters Swim. Killer Tri will give me all the tools I need to be successful in this race, now it’s up to me to implement them.

I am looking forward to the challenge!

Other Killer Tri Blogs by Veronica:

Attack of the Killer Tri, Part I
Attack of the Killer Tri, Part II
Attack of the Killer Tri, Part III