North Flight veteran qualifies for competition in Sweden Paramedic
Erin Ferguson knows the challenges of 12-hour shifts with back-to-back calls to help Grand Traverse-area residents as a paramedic.
The 10-year North Flight veteran also knows the challenges of swimming, cycling, and running Olympic distances against a pack of competitors.
She plans to be among world-class athletes that gather in Motala, Sweden on Saturday, June 27, for the International Triathlon Union Long Distance Triathlon World Championships. The competition consists of a continuous swim-cycle-run with distances that fit between Olympic competition and an Ironman race.
“I was able to qualify for the race by placing in the top 20 in my age group at the Long Course National Championships last June,” Ferguson said. “I finished 17th.”
The Motala course is 2.5 miles of swimming, 75 miles of cycling, and 18 miles of running. Motala is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Vattern in southern Sweden, about 120 miles southwest of Stockholm.
The Upper Peninsula native works three 12-shifts each week for North Flight out of Grand Traverse County. She fits her training in around her shifts. This past year she hired a personal coach to help her get prepared.
“My typical training week consists of three swim sessions lasting one to 1 ½ hours, four bike sessions lasting one to four hours, and five to six run sessions,” she said. “One of those runs is immediately following my long bike ride and lasts 30 minutes or so.”
A typical work day starts at 4 am with a bike session or run. On days off she works out two times a day. During race day in Sweden, the pro athletes start at 9 am and waves of age group competitors, including Ferguson, will start after that. She is in the 35- to 39-year age group.
As a member of Hagerty’s Cycling team, she feels confident in her cycling and swim times. This past year she has worked hard on running.
“I can usually stick with the lead women out of the swim and off the bike,” she said. “Hopefully I can maintain my position with the work that I’ve done running this past winter.”
At a recent iron man run in Kalamazoo, she worked on the transitions between the stages of competition. It is important not to stand still as one leaves the water, discards a wet suit, puts on a helmet and goes for the bike. Between the bike and running, there is a shoe change.
While the pro athletes will compete for money prizes, Ferguson said the amateurs compete for medals and potential sponsorship.
“I will be flying out a week before the race to meet with the rest of Team USA and to acclimate to the time and learn the course,” she said. “I will be vacationing in Stockholm for a week with my husband following the race.”
North Flight coworkers will be rooting for her efforts.
“I have never been to Europe and this is my first international race,” she said. “It’s going to be an amazing experience. I never thought I would ever quality for something like this. My first triathlon I did, I was almost in last place.”
More information on the competition can be found at vatterntriathlon.se.