Why You Should Give It A TRI

Four years ago, during a sleep-deprived lunch date, I told a friend I was going to do a triathlon. My first son was six months old and going to the gym just wasn’t enough motivation. I needed something that actually put the fear of God into me, and something that would give me focus and test my limits.

I was never an athlete in high school or college. The closest I got to competitive sports was playing sand volleyball, which involved more beer drinking than setting and spiking.

So, doing a triathlon was going to be a challenge.

I didn’t rock my first triathlon, in fact I came in close to last, but I did finish, I didn’t die and I caught the triathlon bug, and you can too.

Triathlons can be intimidating, but yet so very rewarding, and there many reasons WHY you should just jump in and give it a TRI.

 TRI Collage

 

1. Eliminate Boredom – Seriously how many times can you do Body Pump, run or even kickbox in a month? Doing the same thing at the gym can leave you feeling less than motivated. Not only that, but doing the same exercise routine can build the wrong kind of muscle memory, making it harder and harder to see results. Training for triathlons provides you with an even mix of swimming, biking, running and don’t forget weight training.

2. Camaraderie – The triathlon community is HUGE both in real life and online. There is a tri-club right here in Iowa City      called the Iowa Heat. They train together, compete together and have been known on occasion to party together.  I’ve also met some wonderful triathletes online through Go Tribal, an online triathlon community that empowers women. Even during the race you will experience the community we all share. We cheer each other on, we encourage and we even make friends waiting for porto-potty.

3. Because You Can – Whenever I’m in the middle of the run and I feel like I can’t go any further I remember my dad. He was so sick toward the end of his life he couldn’t even walk, and I know there will be a day that my body won’t be able to swim, bike and run. However, that is not today, so I just keep going. Don’t underestimate what your body can do. I was never an athlete and now I’m a triathlete–that’s priceless.

4. Challenges are Empowering – I’ve given birth, twice, to two 10 pound boys, which pretty much makes me Wonder Woman {at least in my opinion} However, nothing is more challenging and rewarding than crossing the finish line at each and every triathlon. Once I do that, I know I can do ANYTHING–even diffuse a three year old’s temper tantrum.

5. Bragging Rights – On the beach at my first triathlon, with my heart beating out of my chest, the race organizer called out all the first-timers asking us to raise our hands. He told us that after today, no matter how we finished, were triathletes. I      will remember that forever, that and the look on people’s faces when I tell them I do triathlons.

 

Are YOU ready to give it a TRI? Are you a triathlete? If so tell us why you like to TRI.

 

**If you need more information about local triathlons or advice on competing in your first race, feel free to leave a comment!

 

Brook
Brook {without the "e"} is a spunky faux redhead and former UI grad who has decided to call Iowa City her home for over 10 years. She met her husband on the internet, and they spend their days playing superheroes with their two boys, Edison (2007) and Grant (2010). She juggles mom life with a full-time job as a marketing consultant, competing in triathlons and writing her heart out on her personal blog www.redheadreverie.com. She believes life is a journey, not a destination.

3 COMMENTS

  1. omg how cool, id love to “tri” when I move down there this summer, I so need the motivation and push and need to get out of the monotony of things!

  2. Hello all. I was pointed to this post by my wife, because I am a member and VP of the Iowa H.E.A.T., an IC/Coralville/N. Lib triathlon/multisport club. We welcome people of all ages and abilities, and are well represented at the front, middle, and back of the pack in all the local races! We have recently decided as a club to start a program wherein those new to triathlon can form one-on-one relationships with a HEAT member, who will serve as a sort of mentor/triathlon doula to help people give the sport a try and learn all the ins-and-outs of what to expect, local races, encouragement, etc.. So for those of you who’d like to get your feet wet in triathlon, we might be just the resource you’re looking for! Or for those who’ve already caught the tri bug, we are a great group for support, group training, or just socializing. Check out our website at iaheat.org, or our Facebook page. More details on the mentoring program will be available soon!

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