After reading my first blog (read it here) you may wonder why someone like me would sign up for a competitive event that she’s not sure she’s even going to be able to finish. Here are my reasons, in all honesty, although I realize some may seem more like I need therapy than a triathlon.
1. I need motivation to exercise. I have always exercised to some degree, but to really push myself I decided I needed a goal. Once I signed up for a 189-mile-bike ride over two days from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. I invited my husband, my sister and brother-in-law to join me so I couldn’t back out. I trained harder than I ever have in my life, because I didn’t want to hold my fit companions back. Now I’m pretty decent on a bike. But that wasn’t a competitive event. A triathlon with other athletes–now I run the risk of public humiliation if I don’t train hard. I don’t want the race organizers to be waiting to pack up and I’m still straggling along. There’s motivation.
2. I hate being a non-athlete. I live in a house full of competitive athletes. My friends were athletes when I was young. I’m tired of feeling like a loser. I want to compete. I’m an overachiever by nature, and the fact that I’ve never achieved anything athletically has always bothered me. So I’m looking to transform myself.
3. I turned 39 this year. I haven’t figured out all that’s attached to this one. I don’t stress over wrinkles or gray hairs, but it’s a little disturbing that I’m reaching the age where I’ll start to lose muscle and bone mass every year. I don’t mind looking older so much as I fear feeling older. My youngest will be 18 when I’m 44. I want to travel, surf, hike, scuba dive…I don’t want to be limited by a just so-so fit body. I want to be superfit. I guess I feel like it’s now or never.
Whatever your reasons are for considering an athletic competition, it’s important to choose carefully. I chose a sprint-distance triathlon, the shortest kind, for obvious reasons. I also chose one close to home and on a Saturday (which is important to me because I keep a Sabbath on Sundays). Here are a few things to consider:
1. Overall cost: Consider your budget. If you have to travel or invest in new equipment, an event could get pricey. If I didn’t already own a road bike and have a wet suit I could borrow, a triathlon would not have been an option for me.
2. Time frame: If you’re already regularly doing an athletic activity, you could choose an event that is coming up soon. If, like me, you are starting from near-scratch, give yourself six months minimum.
3. Who participates: Most major events have a web site, or links where you can find out all the information. Look at past years’ results. Who competes? What were the times? Will you be over or under qualified for this particular event? I purposely chose a local event with lots of beginners, but you may be frustrated by an event with a bunch of novices.
4. Noncompetitive event: If you are not accustomed to competing, you might want to start with a noncompetitive event to get your feet wet. A distance bike ride will get you used to riding with other cyclists, whereas a race might scare the Spandex right off of you. At the very least, observe a race before you sign up.