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...]
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 … [Read more...]
People in their 40s represent the fastest-growing segment in the sport of triathlon.This is but one expression of the “fit after 40” time we live in. An increasing number of people are becoming involved in endurance sports in the second half of their life journey; maybe you are one of them.Coach Don Nava, in his book Fit After 40: 3 Keys To Looking Good And Feeling Great, says there are 5 major questions people ask as they cross the line into the second half of their lives:Will I … [Read more...]
There is plenty of talk around the sport of triathlon about how popular it is has become, and all the newcomers fueling the sport.But this past week I ran into two different people who said they, “used to do triathlons.” Which got me to wondering, is the sport of triathlon a revolving door? For every newbie, how many are tri leavers?There are all sorts of reasons why a person might leave the sport of triathlon:Time commitment – It’s a significant time commitment to train … [Read more...]
Ah, living the Tri life... No, not the High Life but the TRI Life! What is the “Tri Life?” Let me describe it. The Tri Life Is An “I Can” Life. Too many people are living an “I Can’t” life, which is telling yourself all the things you can’t do. … [Read more...]
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...]
This past weekend I was out on a 100-mile bike ride, and it started to pour rain. Part of the route was on a local greenway, and rounding a curve onto a wooded pedestrian bridge my bike slid out from under me and I went down hard on my right shoulder. For a while I just laid there in the downpour, wrenching in pain. I was fine, but what came to mind in that moment was this article that had not yet been written, discussing why doing triathlons are “FUN!” Admittedly, there will be times … [Read more...]
I admit that before getting into triathlons I imagined these folks to be hardcore, high-strung, overbearing, egotistical types. Wow, was I wrong about that!Most of the triathletes I know are the exact opposite. Sure, there are a few jerks in every crowd but I found most of them to be humble and considerate people who are happy to help along newcomers to the sport.I learned an important life lesson some years ago: don’t judge people, because there is always more you don’t know about … [Read more...]
There will be times as a newcomer when you will be tempted to reconsider doing triathlons.Here are some situations that made me think twice:1. The first time I tried open water swimming, swallowing mouthfuls of nasty lake water, and floundering around in the breakers while fearing for my life. I really wasn’t in any danger because I was swimming alongside a long float buoy pipe, but I felt like a complete idiot.2. The day our kitchen began looking like a medical clinic. No lie; … [Read more...]
Go ahead: play it safe, only do things within your comfort zone, minimize risk and don’t expose yourself to the possibility for failure, don’t take on more than you can chew, stay well within your limits and don’t push yourself, and just concede that there are many things you are not capable of and shouldn’t try. But is that truly “living?” It sounds more like just getting by or biding your time or living in a rut. Maybe there’s more to you than you … [Read more...]
Connect with us