That's Fit

These days, it seems like more and more people are giving up their spots on the sidelines to compete in endurance races like marathons and triathlons -- especially women. I've never done either myself, but several of my female friends have joined the triathlon bandwagon, giving up late nights, unhealthy eating, drinking and leisurely weekend mornings to train endlessly and get their bodies in shape. I must admit, I'm intrigued, as I usually am by a challenge.

Triathlon is a great way to achieve all-over body fitness because it combines running, cycling and swimming. Distances vary between events, but the most prominent competitions are the Olympics, which requires participants to swim nearly a mile (4921 feet), bike 24.9 miles and run 6.2 miles; and the Ironman, which requires participants to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a full marathon, 26.2 miles -- wow!Triathlon is the sport of choice for so many people because of a number of factors: the variety of activities that few can get bored with, the unparalleled challenge and the comraderie. I've heard that triathletes are a very tight-knit group, though I don't have the experience to prove it. I can see why: having someone to train with is important, and it would be hard to find motivation among non-triathletes. I can imagine it would be hard to be in training when your non-athletice friends are trying to get you to come to this party and that restaurant.

If you're interested in joining a triathlon, you could consider signing up for a charity triathlon -- that way you're helping out a good cause and getting fit at the same time, and the extra motivation can never hurt. Though give yourself a few months between when you sign up and the actual event -- you'll need lots of time to train.

What else should you do? Getting a personal trainer is never a bad idea, and many gyms even offer classes and programs aimed at triathletes. It's also a good idea to find a friend to do it with you -- if none of your friends are into major athletic endeavors, try to find one at your gym or find out if the triathlon organizer knows of any training groups you can join.

A great thing about Triathlon is that you don't need fancy equipment to train. A bike, access to a lake or pool and an open road will suffice. In the winter, you might want to train at the gym if it's cold where you live.

To find out more about Triathlons, check out this article.

Participating in a Triathlon is a challenge. Is it one you'll try? Or have you already?
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