The sport of triathlon is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. We laugh, we cry, we celebrate, we agonize. We train hard, we race hard, and we push ourselves to our furthest limits, and consider all of this fulfilling!

Robin Williams once said, “You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.” Maybe that’s what we are doing as triathletes – giving expression in our own way to that little spark of madness.

So, I decided to close out one year and start a new one on The Fun Times Guide to Triathlons with some special awards.

Jim’s Fun Times Guide Triathlon Awards

I’m over 40. In terms of triathlon training, swimming doesn’t bother me too much, but long bike rides and most runs take their toll.

Pam knows when I’ve done a long run. I walk gingerly through the house, grimace in pain when getting out of a chair, and normally have difficulty sleeping that night. If I had a dollar for every bottle of ibuprofen I’ve used, I’d be set even if Wall Street collapsed…again.

I also got in the habit of taking my ibuprofen along to triathlon races. I remember once getting ready to pop a few during my bike-to-run transition, when another triathlete nearby said, “Are you sure you want to do that?”

His concern motivated me to do some research. What follows is a portion of what I learned.