Why Try a Tri?

A common question asked of triathletes is “why”. Why do you put yourself through these crazy races? Why do you wake up at 5 am to prepare for a race? Why do you train 20-30 hours a week for a race that lasts only a few hours? My story is in no way unique, but each triathlete’s motivation for racing comes from a different place.

I was not a runner. I was not a cyclist. I was a swimmer. I first started swimming when my mother threw me into the pool as an infant. Babies can swim if you let them and it is a really good idea to get children in the water as early as a possible. I started swimming in races when I joined a community team hosted by the local school system. With the exception of brief pauses in middle school and undergraduate studies, I continued swimming competitively until I received my Master’s degree.

It was while studying to get that degree that I joined the university chapter of the U.S. Masters Swimming. I highly recommend those weak at swimming or swimmers who want to continue swimming competitively to seek out and join their local chapter. It was during that time that I met my first real triathlete, an Ironman finisher! She was working on her swimming techniques for her next long-distance triathlon. After borrowing one of her beginner triathlon books, the seed to compete in a triathlon was planted.

The problem was I did not have a road bike or the cycling shoes. I did not know how to run long distances. I did not have a tri-suit. How would I race against other people? These questions prevented me from attempting a race for nearly a year.

The good news is you do not need a fancy road or triathlon bike. You can walk parts or sometimes the entire run depending on race time limits. If you are a swimmer, you can use the suit you already have!  You do not need to race against other people; you race against yourself. And that is why I tri! It is one sport where you do not have to be talented to participate. You just need a solid will to sign up for the race and train. The experience of finishing a race is worth way more than the sweat you put into training for it!

In the next blog, I will tell you more about preparing for my first race, questions you should answer before racing, and how meager beginnings can build your confidence to keep going!