Fit and Female : To tri or not to tri
Swimming, biking and running all in one workout or race might sound like too much to handle.
Or maybe you have done a sprint triathlon. But you feel intimidated or unsure how to move up to an Olympic distance or half Ironman, or maybe even Ironman Triathlon.
Consider this when debating whether to try a “tri” or continue to tri:
Triathlons are one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Membership to USA Triathlon has doubled from 47,373 in 2003 (three years after the triathlon was added as an Olympic event in the Sydney Olympics) to 100,674 in 2007. Today, women make up more than 40 percent of triathlon race participants.
Some attribute this growth to the supportive race and training environments that triathlons offer, and the results you feel physically, socially and mentally.
Physically:
Cross-training constantly challenges the body in new ways.
Injury prevention, due to cross-training
Increased endurance and cardiovascular fitness
Increased metabolic rate
Weight loss and weight management
Decreased body fat
Socially:
New friends with similar goals
A community of active friends and training partners
Travel opportunities to destination races
Mentally:
Setting and accomplishing new goals
Increased self-confidence
Challenging and pushing yourself
Stress reduction
— By Andie Bernard
Bernard, of Boulder, is the director and head coach of Tri Babes Training, www.bouldertribabes.org. Send your fitness questions to andie@bouldertribabes.org.
