Who's Doing the TRY and Why? Sheree Russell

Posted with permission of Vincennes Sun Commercial
Published: VINCENNES SUN COMMERCIAL
Thursday, May 13, 2010 3:59 PM EDT

Sheree Russell is a veteran athlete in the SIS Women’s TRYathlon, having competed each year since the first TRY hit Vincennes in 2007. Having already successfully finished two mini-marathons at that time, Russell wondered if she could also complete a triathlon. Her husband, Rick Russell, never doubted it though ��” he signed her up.

Russell’s desire to stay fit and maintain her slim figure keeps her motivated. In 2004, she underwent one of many weight loss surgeries, and she knew that she must commit to an hour per day of exercise in order to keep from regaining the weight she’d lost. As a result, she teamed up with her husband, and they’ve walked for exercise nearly every day since.

Training for Russell consists of five miles every day starting at 5:30 a.m., rain or shine. Those early morning sessions in the rain are what she dreads most. She also frequently walks with her husband over his lunch hour or after work and often exercises as much as three hours per day. If the weather is too bad, she heads indoors to lift weights or swim at the YMCA. On a pretty day, she loves to hop on her bike and ride from Vincennes to Bruceville and back.

Russell enjoys participating in mini-marathons and triathlons in surrounding communities, and her involvement has inspired her daughter, Jessica Russell, to join her. Russell is proud of her daughter’s accomplishments, as she too has lost a considerable amount of weight through healthy eating and exercise. Russell’s favorite part of training is spending time with her husband and daughter.
Russell appreciates the support of her whole family which additionally includes her son, Ian Russell; daughter, Amy Russell; and four grandchildren with a fifth grandchild to arrive in May. Her four-year-old granddaughter, Braylynn, is already dreaming about competing in marathons and triathlons. Russell hopes the example she sets for family fitness will continue on for future generations.

Celebrating her 30th year of employment with the Knox County Department of Child Services this spring, Russell has managed to successfully juggle a career, family and healthy lifestyle. “I want people to understand that it is NEVER too late to get fit,” Russell said. “I am seldom sick and have lots of energy. Better eating and exercise habits have helped improve most aspects of my life. If I can do it, so can you!”

The TRY is for women 16-years-old and up and will consist of a 1⁄4-mile swim in the Rainbow Beach pool, a 9-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run. Women may register to do the entire TRY or as part of a team. Registration forms can be printed from www.knoxcountyfoundation.org at the TRYathlon sidebar or can be picked up at the Knox County Public Library, the Vincennes YMCA or the Knox County Community Foundation office on the third floor of Old National Bank at Third and Busseron Streets. For additional information, contact Kathy Rinsch at 886-0093 or kathy@knoxcountyfoundation.org.