I have been working with a buddy all summer getting him ready for the Timberman Sprint next weekend. This guy is 34 years old, stressed and overweight. He lost 20 lbs this summer and is ready to rip it up. Today we are going to do a practice tri that simulates very similar conditions (actually a tougher bike but he doesnt know that yet) in order for him to know he can finish the distance. I am even going to splash the heck out of him in the water (he doesnt know that yet either). Anyway, its kinda neat watching someone be so excited about something new to them.
I was introduced to a young lady on the deck of the pool prior to a sprint tri back in May. It was her first tri and she was soooo excited and giddy to be racing for the first time. Well, little did I know she had pre-registered for a series of races, progressing in distance to a final Half-IM on Sept. 11. Seeing her after each race with a smile on her face is priceless. We as “competitive” athletes lose focus on how racing is supposed to be fun and not always about winning…
Dozens, and it’s a great feeling…
The look on someone’s face at the finish line of their first tri is better than anything money can buy!
None. They watch my training schedule engulf my life and the dark circles engulf my face and their typical response is, “Yeah you have fun with that.”
Several and it really is a great feeling…it truly is giving back to the sport. Currently my neighbors (that my fiancee and I got fired up for tri) have become totally entrenched in the sport and it’s awesome. This summer they have already done 3 triathlons…
2,103
.
Dozens, and it’s a great feeling…
The look on someone’s face at the finish line of their first tri is better than anything money can buy!
Isn’t that the truth! i help out with our newbie training program and mentor a couple of gals that i swim with and it’s a blast to see them finish their first long ride or overcome fear of the bay or finish their first race.
2,104
.
Influenced?
I may be the only person here who can say thousands, if not hundreds of thousands. Of course, it was all indirect but amazing none the less. In fact, I’m sure I influenced you two or three people removed.
ZERO… other than the two guys I started with (who never went past our first, the GCT).
Every winter I get 2-3 people who commit to doing a race, but they always bug out when the going gets tough…
Started with convincing three friends to do an Xterra race with me last year. This year I had a group of 6 and more keep joining me at races as we go. As long as I get them into one race, they get themselves hooked from there.
A couple… most from my Masters swim team or various friends. It’s great seeing someone enjoy something new that I enjoy so much.
What influenced my signing up for a triathlon in the first place was a wedding reception for some good friends. They and more than half the party were all triathletes, runners, swimmers, etc and it seemed like such a great lifestyle. Bride & groom + friends finishing up a long ride in the AM before the events. All the women in their evening wear with speedo tan lines on their backs. Everyone with tan lines around their eyes. 
My sister-in-law - not into tri’s, but rather to step up to the 1/2 distance.
She was already an accomplished Xterra triathlete qualifying for Nationals in her first year, and she has five kids. For you MTB and Xterra fans, she was the one they showcased in the coverage of Nationals last year. They showed her with all her kids and training.
Anyway, she has watched as I have over the years continued to do IM’s and 1/2’s and this year mentioned it would be cool to try one. So, we did the 1/2 Vineman together. The funny thing is that she gave into the endurace bug eventually, just like I tried to tell her she would.
She crossed the finish line just over 6 hrs and boldly stated “I will never do that again!!!”. I laughed, told her she would, and that I would have her ready to sign up for IMFL '06 before the weekend was out. IMFL she is not ready for, but she did email two days after the race stating that she wants to do another 1/2 and get a better bike. My wife (her sister) did not believe me when I told her about the email and had to call her and ask her about it.
I thought she would have enjoyed herself a bit more, but I am glad that she is ready to tackle the distance again. I need to get my wife, a runner, to get into tris. She has seen me come out of the Pacific too many times looking like a drowned rat though. Some day though.
Two that I know of, one of them being my 7 year old who is doing her 1st du next month.
and you are not thanked enough for that influence.
Thank You!
I think I few ppl on my swim team look at me and say “If she can do it, I can.” I remember some teammates telling me how crazy those triathletes were until I told them I’m one of those crazy triathletes. The look I get is always the same…“YOU’RE a triathlete?” with a quick once over. All I’ll say is I don’t exactly look like a pro. After they found out I completed an IM, a few of them started training for tris. I don’t know if I should be insulted or not. I am REALLY excited for them to discover this sport. It’s fun hearing their stories b/c I know all their emotions.
I’ve gotten 5 people in marathons. I got two of my fat co-workers into shape running a few years ago. That fizzled though and they’re fat again. Pisses me off. I did volunteer for beginning running clinics. It’s great seeing people who can’t even run a block at first progress to running longer than they ever imagined. They get all competitive too. All of a sudden they’re like “Okay, I’m running to that tree. Time me.” I really enjoy it.
Mak, that would be so cool. My in laws, extended family are all sedentary. They think I’m off my nut.
My babysitter (early twenties grad school student) started running and I encouraged her to try some 5ks which she did. She just did her first 10k and loved it. Now she wants to do a tri. It’ll be so cool to help her. Not to mention I can put all my spare bike parts to good use. Heck, I’ve got enough spare parts in my basement to build her a bike!