What made you want to get into tris? (Page 2)

From my first post here:

Did the shorter one in August (2004), finished 2nd in my AG and was hooked.

Funny, but I've never been inspired by triathlon on television, think it's a lousy spectator sport, still couldn't tell you who the elites are. I do remember watching Julie Moss' 1982 effort on Wide World of Sports and thinking that it was crazy dumb to push yourself to near death like that. I never imagined, however, and am still wowed by the amount of inspiration that can be derived from the average joes, the MOPs/BOPs in the sport. That's what keeps me here.

My wife and I compete in Triathlon together and she started before me so I credit her for introducing me to Tri's.  

One of my goals/wishes/desires is to podium with her in the same race.  

Because I got bored with doing "just" marathons.

Really.

My dad was a runner during my childhood. He had some co-workers that he ran races with and one of them decided to try triathlon. My dad took me to cheer on his friend's first race (Oly in Columbia, MD), I think I was about 8 years old at the time.

I distinctly remember watching at T1 as the swimmers exited the water and thinking, I want to do this someday.

I swam on a team in grade school and through high school and college I ran on and off to stay in shape for lacrosse, but was always in awe of the tri sport athletes.

22 years later, I'm finally getting around to my first race next March. Better late than never I guess! A life long goal realized is well worth the cost of a bike and training time (that I'll spend most of with my wife: bonus).

That's how I got into ultras....watch yourself!!

I initially had no idea of the startup costs when I did my first tri.  In fact, it practically cost me nothing because I rode a mountain bike and a swimsuit!  At any rate, the very first race I did because my family and friends were in utter shock when I even mentioned the word "triathlon."  They thought I was nuts and would never be able to do it, so that fueled the fire.  I'm an overachiever of sorts, so the idea of doing something I wasn't completely sure I could do was intriguing to me.

Now, the second time around, I wanted to get into the best shape of my life and see if I could move up from a "I just want to finish" type racer to a legitimate athlete who could hold their own at a tri. 

Yes, at 13 that impacted me.  In my eyes it became the pinnacle of athletic achievement.

I haven't done any yet and my plan is definitely long term!

I was terrified of riding a bike and a friend wanted me to train for a relay portion so I figured my unathletic self could try.  Of course I ended up buying a bike and there hasn't been talk of relay for a while but I need to do a little prompting perhaps.

Evolution for me. I played soccer my whole life, including in college. A few years after graduating and some extra pounds later I started running. Based on my competitiveness, I sought out some local 5K's. After a few races and increased fitness, I decided it was time to go for a 1/2 marathon (I seemed to have skipped over the 10K.) Then a marathon, which was a GREAT experience. Then a few more. I needed another challenge so I ran a trail marathon, which was a whole lot tougher. So after all that running, I decided that triathlon would be my next goal. A co-worker gave me his 20-year old Zebra steel frame road bike, shifters on the down tube and all. I couldn't swim so well so I entered a Duathlon and manged to finish 1st in my AG. At that point I was hooked on multi-sport. All I had to do was spend some time in the pool. I did just that, and ended up doing a sprint a couple months later and had a blast. A couple days after the race I bought a tri bike and only 6 weeks later I did the Stealhead HIM. Although I haven't stopped running marathons and halfs, the multi-sport training and racing is my biggest passion.

I needed an off season work out that would keep me motivated, interested and in shape.  I didnt want to join a summer basketball league b/c of the time commitment (Im not always available on Weds at 7pm)
I volunteered at a tri last August with my Kiwanis club and said 'I can do this'. 

I used to road bike a lot but hate riding on the road b/c most people dont know how to drive when approaching a bike (many threads on this so Im not trying to hijack)  I love to ride my bike, but I was only doing MTB and missed going fast.   I was a decent recreational swimmer and the swim course was easy so I wasnt afraid of the distance, I could stand up at anytime.   Even though I hated running, I wanted to go back to my old high school and do the annual 'Pie Race' which I havent done in 20 years.  Its the oldest organized race in the US- 118 years.  If you beat a certain time (4.1 miles in 33 min for men, 38 for women) you get a pie.

So with all the elements in place, it seemed like tri's would be good for me.  And I could workout on my own schedule.   I also got a friend involved so it made it easier to get going, and its nice to have a buddy in transition.  I did two tri's this year and I'm looking forward to doing more next season.  I still have an xterra on my schedule.

My wife was a little concerned about the start up costs (new bike, shoes, entry fee, etc) but she knew I had to do something to loose the 25+ pounds I had gained and saw my interest and determination and said OK.  She also thought that if I quit, we could sell the bike and get most of our money back.   I know I couldve done the race on my hardtail MTB, but I wanted 1 event that I knew I would do OK in (I knew I would suck at the swim and the run - and I did)

Well, the results are in.  For my first season I have enjoyed road biking again (ppl still cant drive).  My swimming is a little better and Im starting to enjoy running.  Dont think I'll get a pie, (never did) but I may match the time I had in High School which isnt too bad.   And I lost the weight I wanted to also.  So it was a success.  Im pretty much set up and ready for the start of snowboard season in 33 days (I love snowmaking in November)

at first i jut liked the fact of completing the different distances...always felt pride there. But now i am hooked on becoming as fast as possible, and doing as many triathlon as i can find. I ave done 4 my first year (just ended).

I love all the toys, awesome looking bikes, training hours, healthy lifestyle. I like the way training makes me feel ever since i started, and enjoy the different state of minds while training, and as specially racing.....swimming ---> then  biking ----->  into runnin'..... nothing beats it. (maybe swim, bike, rollerblade), but i have yet to make that famous.

I can say i am hooked on triathlon, all its glory, people, toys, and races. I cant wait till next year because im thikin all the races up here in Canada are done.

I did 4 triathlons this year. My goal is 8 triathlons next season, and maybe a 70.3 at the end of the year for fun and a longer distance..... really slow pace to avoid injury.

Im all about speedwork....thats the best part of triathlon!!

I'd be honored, help yourself to the quote. 

I reached 40 and was way out of shape and found climbing the corporate ladder was becoming dull, until then it was my passion but it was killing me.  The doctor said I see guys like you die in their 50's all the time.  What a kick in the pants, is this all there is?  The purity that the ironman represents gave me a tangible goal to make my physical transformation from 236 lb fatty to 163lbs (hopefully some day Ironman).  I could have never lost the weight without the competitive goal.  The real competition in tris is pure and within yourself.  You get to explore this while in the company of others doing the same.  Tri's and endurance sports have re-lit my fire for life.

College football player. Rugby in lawschool.  No time to play rugby after starting work. Got married. Stopped exercising.  Had kids.  Totally stopped exercising.  Got fat and out of shape. Went to Dr. told to lose weight or you'll end up with heart disease, diabetes, etc.  Figured I'd never swam, hadn't biked since huffy days, never really likes running... why not try triathlon.  Individually, SBR are boring, put them together and its fun, go figure. 

Oh yeah, the hot chicks in spandex don't hurt either.

i want to know what i'm made of. and completly push my limits.

and drop a few pounds while trying to convert to a new lifestyle. ok. several pounds.

A few guys at my Reserve unit were talking about triathlons...it sparked my interest and competitive spirit, i looked into it, and was doing a tri 3 weeks later!

W000T

The challenge of something new.  In the winter of 2006 my son and I (ages 22 and 49 at the time) decided to try a triathlon the next summer.  We both have a running background but only recreational swim and bike backgrounds.  We picked one towards the end of the summer in mid-August 2007 and signed up.  I ended up doing 3 sprints prior to the target event.  I distinctly remember about half-way thru the bike leg on my 1st sprint saying to myself "I'm hooked".  I have progressed up to a HIM this year and may even have an IM in my future.  I am in the best shape of my life, enjoying a healthy life style, and kicking myself in the butt for not getting started in triathlons years ago. 

My golf game, however, has suffered greatly.....