Page 61 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2017

Bruffey, deputy director of the Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association, also competed in
last November’s Ironman Florida
in Panama City. “I previously competed in several triathlons,
but never had dared to take on the Ironman,” he said. “My big brother, Bill, is a huge motivator for me. I watched him cross the finish line at Ironman Florida in 2011, and since then, I have watched him competing in several Ironman events, including the Ironman World Championship in Kona twice.”
In 2015, Bruffey decided it was time to stop thinking about it
and do it. “I knew I wanted to do it, but holding me back was my beautiful wife of 25 years, Ann, who was scared I would be injured (or worse). At age 47, I knew I was fast approaching the now-or-never moment,” he said.
Lund has always been motivated to stay healthy and fit. She started running five years ago and it was a natural progression from running road races to participating in triathlons. “I was on the swim team at the Ocean Springs YMCA when
I was young and loved swimming competitively, so it was just a matter of putting it all together,” she said.
ROBIN completed the first Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon on December 11th.
She and husband Frank started racing sprint triathlons in 2013, then did their first 70.3 (the half Ironman distance) in September of 2014 at Augusta, Ga. “I had so much fun
at that race that I was ready to sign up for a full Ironman the very next day,” she recalls.
The Lunds are members of Gulf Coast Running Club, Gulf Coast Bicycle Club and the local triathlon
days a week. Follow a healthy eating plan as much as possible, and rest and recover.”
“My friend, Gregg Andrews, provided me with a great workout schedule, and my brother and I texted quite often,” Bruffey said. “Besides a trainer, you really need to have overall support. My wife and kids were behind me.”
Lund was nervous signing up for IMFL and the nerves continued all year long every time she thought about it. “It’s discouraging when you have a bad workout, but they happen, so you just keep doing the work,” she said. “Once I started accomplishing the big workouts and those milestones checked off — 100-mile rides, three-hour runs, another 70.3 — I started to feel more confident. However, I still often wondered if I was completely crazy for even thinking I could accomplish it.”
Her biggest challenge was the bicycle component. “It’s my weakest sport of the three. I have to work hard to improve that. Athletes have to make cutoff times or they won’t finish. They will take you off the course,” she said. “Nerves are
a challenge for me, too. It can be scary.”
club, the Ticking Tri Bombs. “We have met some wonderful people
in the sport,” Lund said. “It’s motivating to watch them work
for and achieve their goals. They are very encouraging and helpful. Plus, working out with friends with shared goals is fun.”
Lund hired a trainer but Bruffey did not. With or without a trainer, Lund says, “Get a plan and follow it. Swim, bike and run five to six
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