We all have different reasons for doing our first triathlon. What’s your reason?

Many of my friends over the years have asked me how or why I got into triathlon.

I’ve been an athlete most of my life. Synchronized swimming or golf in the fall, then track and field in the spring. My coaches had me sprinting, hurdling and a high jumping. While I wasn’t super-fast, I was consistent. After taking swimming as a P.E. class and successfully completing my lifeguard certification, the swim coach suggested to my dad I should join the swim team. But, I preferred playing golf.

Throughout the years, I’ve also dabbled in bodybuilding, long cycling journeys, hiking and the occasional recreational run. An old back injury kept me from golfing. The twisting during the swing left me in pain for days.

It was time for something completely different.

In 2010, the local college swim team was hosting a sprint triathlon to raise funds for their team. From January until April, I went to spin classes in the morning, ran either on a treadmill or outside depending on weather, and learned better swim mechanics.

The day of the race came, and boy was I nervous! But…IT WAS SO FUN!!

Everything I trained for fell into place.

Although my family and friends were happy for me, the comments started to follow.

“You’re nuts.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Is there something wrong with you?”
“I only run when someone is chasing me.”

Reason 1: The Challenge

I hear it all the time. “I could never do that.”

Well, Henry Ford was correct about one thing:

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Maybe your training is stagnant, or worse yet; you’re bored!  You are looking for something to kick things up a notch.

Perhaps someone declared you couldn’t.

A DARE?

Challenge accepted.

Dust off your old bike sitting in the garage. Fill up the tires and go for a spin around the block. Don’t forget your helmet. If you like being in the gym, take a spin class.

Put on your swimsuit and jump in (a lake, a pool, a pond, ocean). The swim is usually the event that ruffles feathers. I get it! This is an opportunity to get over fears. See post about that here. .

Truth: When I started triathlon, I couldn’t swim from one end of the pool to the other! I’d swim 10 or 15 meters and I was pooped. Take it one meter at a time. My younger years spent in the water were synchronized swimming. My stroke was pretty, but it wasn’t efficient. The coaching, workshops and time spent in the pool build confidence. Now, I love to swim!

Reason 2: Weight Loss Plateau

Whether you are doing three sports or one, you are going to burn calories. Training for anything is going to burn calories. Since triathlon is extremely aerobic, you’ll burn your fair share of them.

But remember, that doesn’t give you permission to overindulge. Your diet will affect performance. Just like anything else, moderation is key.

If you are already weight training, the addition of cardio may be the boost your metabolism.

Reason 3: You Meet the Greatest People

There is something to be said for having a tribe. Everyone is on their own journey. But the people you meet along the way will laugh, cry, share and train with you.

The relationships you build may cross state lines or oceans. One of the wonderful things about triathlon is you may run into or meet up with old training partners and friends at races while in other cities or countries, and you’ll pick up right where you left off.

Join a Facebook group or a local master’s swim team. Find a cycling club or team to ride with. This sport is full of amazing people willing to help you along your journey. And if you are single, you might just find your soul mate.

Reason 4: It’s Fun

Remember the first time you learned how to ride a bike? Or the first time you learned how to swim?

Do you remember the feeling? It was a feeling of success! The thrill of balancing on two wheels, or the excitement of making it from the beach to the buoy or floating dock. We’d do it over and over again. Just for fun!

Maybe you used your bike for transportation. Perhaps you raced your friends across the pool.

As a kid, I spent countless hours on my bike riding to friend’s homes, the beach, the store. Those miles added up, and so did my strength and endurance.

Triathlon is like that. Why not incorporate all those fun things you did as a kid and do it as an adult?

Reason 5: Become an Inspiration

Are your kids or spouse turning into couch potatoes?

The great thing about sports is it has the power to motivate people to do more with themselves and their health and lifestyle.

Your first goal is to sign up for a race. Like Nike says – Just do it!

I know a gal who never did a triathlon in her life and signed up for an Ironman. She gave herself a year to learn how to swim, bike and run. She was 60! She has finished 6 Ironman’s. She is one of my sheroes; my inspiration!

Truth: My husband decided to do his first triathlon after years of watching me from the sidelines. He told me it wasn’t that much fun worrying and waiting around for me to finish. Now he’s completed a couple of sprint triathlons, several Half Ironman’s and marathons. We’ve done two Ironman races together. (I beat him both times…shhhhh). See what the distances mean here.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

There is no better feeling than crossing the finish line. That smile on your face and the satisfaction of knowing all your training was put to the test is pure bliss.

The fans and spectators give you encouragement and the boost you needed.

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! -Audrey Hepburn

There are many more reasons to do a triathlon, but once you do one, you’ll be hooked!

Whether you need a challenge, are looking to change things up a bit in your weight loss journey, or you are looking to meet new people in a fun environment, triathlon will inspire and motivate you.