How it started... How to become a Triathlete

I was listening to Mike Reilly's podcast with Triathlon Taren the other day and it had me reminiscing on how it started for me, 10 years ago. In the podcast Taren remembers asking a friend how to become a triathlete. The answer... "sign up for a race and do it."

In 2012 that is just what I did. I had just started running 5ks in 2011 to keep up with my 10 year old who had found a love of running. I did NOT love running... but I had always enjoyed swimming and biking as a kid. So, when the instructor of my morning spin class started talking about a local sprint triathlon I was intrigued. Without doing any real "training plan," I found an indoor triathlon to sign up for and I did it! With that, on March 4th 2012, I became a triathlete... and I was HOOKED!!

On May 26th, 2012 I participated in my first outdoor triathlon. It was a sprint distance race at Island Lake in Michigan. I had used a 6 week training plan I found at https://trinewbies.com/ and felt pretty good going into the day, but when I showed up to transition that morning I must have looked terrified. There was an older gentlemen racking his bike across from me. He saw my fear and said, "do you know what they call the last person to cross the finish line?" I looked up at him with huge, scared eyes but before I could say something akward he said, "A TRIATHLETE!" That was exactly what I needed to hear. I was not there to impress anyone or win. I just wanted to be proud of myself for doing what I set out to do, and even if I was the last one to cross the finish line I would accomplish that! I was a triahtlete! This was also my first taste of the amazing community that comes with this sport. I never got that athlete's name, but I did see him several times on the course that day and we exchanged big smiles each time!

In 2012 I went on to do 3 more sprint races and my first Olympic Distance in my hometown, where I got third in my age group with my family there to watch.

How to become a triathlete? Sign up for a race and do it! You don't need a fancy bike, special shoes, coaches, wetsuits, etc. Those things will come with time. Every person on that course was a rookie once. So pick your race! Sign up! And get ready for an amazing experience with amazing people!

Comments

IM70.3 Puerto Rico Race Report

" Why did you choose this race?" Before we could talk about race and nutrition plans, Coach Sami asked me that question. I 100% chose it for the destination and the vacation Mark and I would have after the race in San Juan. What a great perspective to tuck away for race day! Mark and I got to San Juan on Thursday afternoon and checked into our VRBO on Condado beach. I chose this location because of the view... and its proximity to swim start. It was a bit of a hike to get to the athlete's village and transition, but still doable which made everything easier than trying to deal with the traffic in San Juan! Friday and Saturday, I got checked-in. Rode my bike a couple of times on the super SAFE green paths found near transition. I swam with several other athletes and ran in the middle of the day to TRY to acclimate a little to the heat and humidity. I met tons of Team Zoot and Ironman Foundation Teammates. I stuck to my nutrition plan with pasta on Friday and Wa

Sponsor-A-Mile: 70.3 World Championships in St. George, Utah

It is almost time for the BIG ONE! The race that I have been fundraising for and working towards since November of last year: the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in St. George, Utah! As an Ironman Foundation Ambassador, all of my Ironman brand races have me RACING FOR MORE, but this one is the pinnacle. I am proud to be representing IMF and all of the good that can come from their initiatives. With that in mind, I am asking you to sponsor a mile during this race. For each of my IRONMAN races this year, I have taken your inspiration and printed it on tattoo paper to put on my arms and legs so that I can see it while I am riding and running. When the going gets tough, these notes remind me that I am doing the race for more than myself! Will you consider sponsoring a mile to help MAKE AN IMPACT and leave a quote or advice to inspire me during 70.3 St. George on October 28, 2022? Here is how: 1. Choose the mile(s) you'd like to sponsor below. *link to this spreadsheet

Friday Fundraising Update: Weeks 22-27

Week 22-27 Update: IM70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge Sponsor-A-Mile : $25 Top In Topsail: Memorial Day Raffle : $1421 T-Shirt Sales: $12 Semper Sparkle Shop Shopping Fundraiser: $84 Online Donations : $307 Overall Total: $15,735 Fundraising Events (mark your calendars): Sponsor-A-Mile for IM70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge ENDS JUNE 1ST! Top in Topsail: Memorial Day Raffle - ENDS MAY 29TH June Shopping Fundraiser - Best Friends Boutique with Lisa Niederberger. Join the fb group to stay in the loop. 25% of each purchase is donated. T-Shirt Sales - Ongoing - https://www.bonfire.com/store/this-girls-got-goals/ How you can help: Participate in the events above and invite your friends to participate, too! Donate Funds: https://ironmanfoundation.donordrive.com/participant/Erin-Byrge I’m asking for $1 per mile for those who are able, that’s $70.3. However, there is no amount too big or small. All amounts are sacrificing something else in your life and for that, I am so grateful! Plea

This Girls Got Goals

Search This Blog