Adopt-A-Beginner Triathlete

author : Ontherun

comments : 4

We were all there once, a beginner. Time to take the challenge and help a beginner triathlete!

We were all there once, a beginner. Time to take the challenge and help a beginner triathlete!

As many seasoned BT'ers know, the sport of triathlon is one of the best sports in the world. The crowds are friendly, almost all athletes are accessible (even the pros), and the feeling of accomplishment can be life changing. I for one started this sport 3 years ago, and I am starting my forth as a triathlete. I am not sure I could have done it without the BT site and all its members. I know when I started, I got inspiration from people as far away as Australia, and as near as the town in which I grew up. Talking to many of these people over the years has granted me some great friendships, even if I have never met them in person.

Getting the support of others has helped me stay true to my training and kept me motivated when I would normally give up. Before the sport of tri and BT, I never lasted in any sport for more than a season or two. I never trained or practiced for those sports (football, baseball, etc.). The only thing I was any good at was bowling, and it would not help me lose weight. It took me a long time to get to "know" people on this site, but some took me under their wing and helped me with tips, motivation, and sometimes just letting me know I was not alone out there training.

The point I am getting to is that a new year ha about to dawned. New Year’s resolutions are coming out fast and furious. Some of them may lead people to try their hand at multisport. I am challenging all BTers who have been on the site for at least a year to keep their eyes on people introducing themselves to BT. Welcome them, check their blogs and leave a few inspires, help them get established.

Ask any person who owns a gym, and they will tell you about the "tourists" who come into a gym in January. They come every day and work out hard. February comes, and time gets tighter, ambition lags, and workouts fall. By March, many people who wanted to change there lives for the better have gone back to where they were.

I am so glad the original members of this site felt it important to share what they knew, ask the questions I was afraid to ask, and make me feel welcome. Without their help, I would probably still be a couch potato watching the IM Kona coverage on NBC and saying, "I wish I could do that." Now I say, "OK, when can I do that?"

If we all take a few beginners under our wing, check in on them regularly, and give them just a little support, maybe, just maybe, we can help someone change their lives for the better.

My New Year’s resolution has been the same for the last four years—to make myself a healthier, more loving, and more supportive father and husband. This year I will add to help five beginners find their way with a smile, a pat on the bac,k and any other support that I can in their blogs. Together we can help people get healthier, stronger, and more self confident.

Enjoy the challenge.
 

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date: January 7, 2007