How I Got This Body: 'I like going fast'

Maryjo Spence

Todd Spence

A windsurfer makes the jump to speed sailing.

By Sarah Moran, Star Tribune

Last update: June 13, 2008 - 5:00 PM

Speeding things up
I actually started windsurfing in 1987, so I've been sailing for over 20 years. Then I started the speed sailing just three years ago -- I found out about using a GPS to find out how fast I was going. Speed sailing is a type of windsurfing. It's the same as far as how you stand on the boat and how you sail, but you're keeping track of your time and trying to improve.

Exhausting, relaxing and everything between
In higher winds I've come off the lake at the end of a day of speed sailing just totally drained. If I go out and it's just halfway decent wind I'll be cruising around and relaxing and enjoying it. It's a cardio workout when it's gusty because the wind is constantly changing so you're changing how much you're leaning against the sail. The legs and arms do get a workout too; you can feel it at the end of the day. Many times my body has been telling me it's time to get off the water, but my mind tells me to take a couple more runs across the lake.

A dash of competition
I like going fast. It's an adrenaline rush just flying across the waves. The past couple of years I've been competing in an event called Midwest Speed Quest, which is now held every year in Worthington [Minn.] on Lake Okabena.

Sweet salvation
I found out I had hypoglycemia when I was 25, so I was on a strict sugar-free diet for the next 10 years. Then in 1995 I went on a short-term missions trip with my church and people on the team and the family we stayed with asked if I wanted to go home without hypoglycemia, and they prayed for me and I came home and got tested and it was gone. After I was healed I could start eating some sugar again. I tried to keep eating healthy with fruits and vegetables, but also I could enjoy some desserts. Then when I was between 35 and 40 I started noticing some weight gain and my metabolism wasn't as high, so I started working out and trying to watch what I ate better.

Mini motivator
Being 47 with a year-and-a-half-old daughter has cut into my time a bit, but it's also motivated me to stay in shape and keep working out during the wintertime. I've been working out at the Y about three times a week.

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