fun stuff - The Fun Times Guide to Running/Biking/Swimming

Endurance Sports – What Lies Beyond Triathlon For Multi-Sport Athletes?

Triathletes are endurance athletes. We swim, we bike, we run -- we put it all together in the sport of triathlon, ranging from sprint to long-distance triathlons. Some say that every triathlete has a little spark of madness that inspires and drives them. We challenge and push our mental and physical capacities to the brink. We endure pain in the process, but this is just all part of it. As crazy as it may seem to some, we choose to do this and enjoy doing it. It should be no surprise then that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beyond Triathlons, Outdoor Fun Tagged With: cycling, fun stuff, running, swimming

Annual Ride Of Silence – A Bike Event Worth Adding To Your Race Calendar

The longest leg of any triathlon is the biking portion. Triathletes spend countless hours on the road, training on their bike. Most triathletes also compete in road races and other cycling events -- such as riding a century or other popular long-distance rides. Yes it is truth that a triathlete is a swimmer, a cyclist, and a runner. But on May 20th, being a cyclist pulls rank. I want to encourage you to consider participating in The Ride of Silence. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beyond Triathlons, Outdoor Fun Tagged With: cycling, fun stuff, reasons to do triathlons

How To Put The Fun Back In Triathlons, Training And Being A Triathlete

Sometimes, in order to survive as a triathlete, you've got to break the rules. Let’s begin by stating the obvious, which is often the first thing we lose sight of on the journey: Training and competing in triathlons is something you chose to do. Whatever circumstances and motivations led to becoming a triathlete, it’s something you voluntarily chose to get into. No one is making you train and compete in triathlons. There is no gun to your head demanding you sign up for the Florida … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Fun, Training Tips Tagged With: books, fun stuff, training tips

How To Be A Green Triathlete

Green. It’s not just a color anymore, but identifies an ecological movement that has risen to the forefront of cultural awareness in recent years. It’s a mentality and way of life that attempts to reduce an individual’s and society’s use of the Earth’s natural resources. It’s often referred to as “sustainable living” or “ecological living,” which involves reducing our carbon footprints by such things as altering methods of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Fun, Your First Triathlon Tagged With: fun stuff

New Year’s Resolutions To Help You Become A Better Triathlete

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A New Year’s Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. Statistics show that the most popular New Year’s Resolutions are: Lose Weight Pay Off Debts Save Money Get a Better Job Get Fit Eat Right Get a Better … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Fun, Training Tips Tagged With: cycling, fun stuff, running, swimming, training tips

Social Networking Internet Sites For Triathletes

I was recently invited to join iAmTri.com, a social networking site for triathletes. I am already a member of AthleteFocus.com and Fastloop.com, as well as a few triathlon groups on Facebook, and one triathlon group on CouchSurfing.com. Which raises the question, what is the value of these kinds of social networking sites for triathletes? Here are a few benefits of these types of social networking sites for triathletes... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Fun, Your First Triathlon Tagged With: books, clubs, fun stuff, gear and necessities, half ironman events, newbie mistakes, people you meet, training tips

Triathlon Vacations: How To Turn A Triathlon Event Into A Family Vacation

The fastest growing segment of people entering the sport of triathlon is men and women over the age of 40. The designation “triathlete” is no longer just the college student or 20-something single, but includes dads and moms in the thick of their careers and raising 2 or 3 kids. Balancing the time and energy demands of the sport of triathlon with family life can be a challenge. One way triathletes are doing this is by specifically choosing triathlon events that can be turned into a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Fun, Your First Triathlon Tagged With: bikes, fun stuff

How To Start A Triathlon Club

As the sport of triathlon continues to grow in popularity, more and more triathletes are organizing themselves in ways to enhance their experience and improve their performance. A triathlon club is one way of doing this. I'm in the process of starting one myself. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Fun, Training Tips Tagged With: clubs, fun stuff, training tips

How To Beat The Triathlon Blues

This morning when I woke up, being a triathlete felt like a burden. It’s August, and my swimmer’s shoulder is holding up, but it’s not totally quite right either. Swimming on consecutive days bothers it, and so I still need a day of rest between each swim session to maintain it. I can’t play tennis with my wife Pam and daughter Jessica because it bothers the shoulder. It keeps me from things I otherwise would enjoy doing. My feet have also been hurting this week … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Fun, Training Tips Tagged With: fun stuff, training tips, winter

Reason #5 To Do Triathlons: An Abundance Of All New Sights, Sounds & Smells

Recently a friend of mine and I decided to explore a new bike route that went through a rural town, Gladeville, TN. It seemed like we were out in the middle of nowheresville when suddenly we biked past a gated yard that was filled with grazing Zebras! Hmmm... Zebras in Africa - check; Zebras in a zoo - check; Zebras in Gladeville, TN - huh?!?! We hopped off our bikes and took the above pic. I'm guessing it was some sort of refuge for injured Zebras but not the sort of thing you expect in a town … [Read more...]