Behind the Scenes

This blog is about maintaining a healthy lifestyle while on the go, whether I am traveling or just finding training time during a busy day at home.  It is a direct result of going running with my sisters while on tour as the Albers Trio.  In the middle of our second run together, as I called out instructions, they started discussing how they’d like to take me with them wherever they go.  This morphed into a Facebook conversation with a former roommate about packing me into their carry-on suitcases… and finally into Laura’s Training On the Go.

When I first moved to San Francisco, I found myself with an excessive amount of free time during the Opera’s off-season.  I decided to get involved with the wonderful organization Team in Training and complete my first triathlon.  After just one TNT season I was completely hooked on triathlon and racing.  I loved how the training made me feel, the friends I made through the sport, the amounts of food I could eat, and mostly the rush I got crossing the finish line. In the nine years since my first Wildflower Olympic triathlon, I’ve completed several different distance triathlons, including the Vineman Ironman,  a couple of  Honolulu marathons and many shorter races.

Throughout my training and racing I am a constant cheerleader to those around me whom I’ve either inspired to try something new or simply dragged along in my own process.  I love sharing training schedules I’ve put much thought into and helping others succeed with their own goals.  Because I am a musician and the lifestyle leans towards sedentary, it is always my goal to interest fellow musicians in a more active lifestyle.  I firmly believe that sitting behind a music stand or a desk all day must be balanced by some type of physical activity, not only for general health but also for injury prevention and emotional well being.

I am currently expecting my first child.  While the intensity of my workouts has changed drastically, I know regular exercise is an integral part of a healthy pregnancy.  I have added a regular yoga practice to the mix and am carefully monitoring my body as it changes and my baby grows!

I try to lead by example and hope that my enthusiasm and energy are contagious!