Dare You To TRI
{By Samantha Roose}
“I will finish. I will not stop. I’ve trained to long. I can to all things through Christ who strengthens me,” I chanted to myself.
“The run is only three miles,” I encouraged myself, “and you already passed half-way.”
Searching for anything to keep me going, I fixed my gaze on the bouncing T-shirt in front of me. “I dare you to TRI,” I read over and over again. Finally, I saw my family and siblings. They were waving a screaming. Then I heard my name and time. Suddenly, my summer of suffocating, waking with the birds, exercising for 2 hours every Saturday, swimming laps when I wanted to sunbathe, and the uncomfortable bike seat were forgotten as I crossed the finish line, received my medal, chugged a water bottle, and waited for my mom to finish. Little did I know that my summer of 2008, the first time I ever exercised would forever change my life.
My mother had trained and completed a triathlon with her friend in 2007. When the spring of 2008 came around my mom wanted to do another but her friend was unable to train with her. I volunteered. That summer I went from being unable to run around the track once to being able to run 2 ½ miles without stopping. I have since completed a ½ marathon, 2 more triathlons, and run 5 miles on a weekly basis (when I’m not injured).
Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself, the baker, historian, and bookworm, becoming an athlete enthralled by whole body health and wellness.
And, it all started with a triathlon.
Why TRI?:
- If you are a person who struggles with pain or injuries while exercising, triathlons would be a great sport for you simply because they mix up the impact and training. My first year of training Mom and I would train each even once a week. On Saturday we would double up: bike then run, or run then swim.
- Triathlons train endurance. There are many different lengths depending on your endurance level – Sprint Tri, International Tri, and of course the IronMan Tri. Even within the Sprint Triathlons there are different lengths.
- Not all triathlons are swim-bike-run, you can find some with kayaking, instead of swimming.
- Because of the multiple events within a triathlon they not only train your endurance but they also give a more complete body workout.
- They’re fun and exciting!
I was dared by a T-shirt to tri and I did. Now I dare you to tri.
P.S. If you want to tri, but don’t know how to make yourself train sign yourself up for a race! Set-Up events is where I register!
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Hi Samantha! I’m really impressed! I was wondering how you fuel for a triatholon or other such event? I never know what is to be eaten for hard workouts : / Thanks!