Thread started by ideasculptor at 10.28.08 - 8:23 pm

I'm thinking very seriously about doing a triathlon with Team in Training. I'd like to get to the point where I can run a 70.3 Ironman tri (That's 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile cycle, and 13.1 mile run) and Team in Training has a system much like the aids lifecycle event. You join the team, meet a minimum fundraising goal, and they handle the professional coaching, training regimen and inspiration, and transport to and from the events. There's an olympic distance tri in Hawaii in March and 70.3 event in California in May. I'm wanting to do them both if I can. Anyone else up for the challenge? The season officially starts on Saturday, so registrations prior to Saturday are discounted, and there's a kick-off event (non-mandatory and showing late is ok) on Saturday morning.

I'm doing this thing unless my next job takes me away from LA (and then I'm doing it in Seattle). Anyone else up for it?

And just for the extra bit of motivation, let me tell you about why I want to do this.

I have a friend whose partner was diagnosed with Leukemia. Louis was drafted by Team in Training to serve as inspiration for the athletes. He showed up at training events to tell his story and inspire the athletes to fundraise for a cure. When his cancer went into remission, he joined team in training as an athlete and in less than a year, completed an ironman triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile ride, 26.2 mile run). I believe he did one more before his cancer returned, and this time it wasn't treatable. He got sicker and sicker, but his teammates nominated him to run the olympic torch on its way to Salt Lake City.

Louis had to be kidnapped out of his hospital bed (with the help of an off-duty ambulance crew, several conspiring nurses, and a doctor), but he managed to 'run' the torch for his 100 metre leg, before collapsing back into his stretcher in the ambulance. That was the last time Louis walked or ran, but nothing on this earth could have stopped him. He passed away the next day.

His partner, Kris, who is truly my inspiration in this story (I only met Louis a couple of times), took it upon himself to pick up Louis' torch and resolved to join Team in Training and run an Ironman triathlon himself. Kris went from marginally athletic, somewhat overweight motorcyclist to unbelievably capable athlete in a remarkably short span of time. He went on to complete 5 or 6 ironman-length events before retiring to a less hectic training regimen. Given the fundraising minimums, that means he must have raised at least $12-15K for leukemia research, and probably much, much more.

My mom is just completing her own cancer treatment, and that event, coupled with my renewed interest in cycling, has kindled a desire to complete an extraordinary effort like Kris' and Louis' and I can think of no better cause than those supported by Team in Training.

Anyone else up for the challenge?

reply

Wow, that's a really inspiring story. I bet there's lots of folks amongst us who are curious about triathlons, what a great idea!



ephemerae
10.28.08 - 9:48 pm

reply

I'd love to do a triathlon, just need to learn how to swim.



dannyzuko
10.28.08 - 11:29 pm

reply

i can do the swimming and the biking no problem, but i cant run for shit.



ruinedbyidiots
10.28.08 - 11:30 pm

reply

mmm i'd like to swim



meow
10.29.08 - 1:13 am

reply

wow sounds great

i did team in training for my century in august but i don't think i'll do anything with them again. i didn't feel like i was part of the team and the "coaching" and "training" were barely there. i mean i showed up and we rode together so of course i learned a few things, but it became a chore for me. but i'm a debbie downer so i'm not trying to discourage you, i just hope you have a better experience than i did.

obviously you have a reason you want to fundraise for the cause so you should do it and i hope you find someone to join you. i just joined the MR team to do the ALC ride next year. i'm definitely excited since it's a bit different and i'll be with people i know. danny has already taught me a few things =)

good luck!!!



tomato
10.29.08 - 9:52 am

reply

Idea, go for it!





dannyzuko
10.29.08 - 9:59 am

reply

I can swim and bike, no running and I can give swim lessons...



TheJen
10.29.08 - 10:13 am

reply

Currently a Tren Way named Jordan is training for the one in SF in November I believe? His donation page is here! He said he's super busy til November 8th so maybe he's doing it around then?



neverclever
10.29.08 - 10:34 am

reply

ooOOOooohhh... I like biking... and swimming... and running... except I don't think I've ever ran more than 6 miles at a time before. I usually just do 5 and call it a night.

...this intrigues me.



canadienne
10.29.08 - 12:37 pm

reply

i would love to do it but training is what i need!

plus time commitments.



aksendz
10.29.08 - 1:15 pm

reply

wait, i meant to say that i want to do it but i will have to train a lot and depends on the time commitment



aksendz
10.29.08 - 1:40 pm

reply

MR is the only reason i got out of tris.


but that training time is jumping around again.

when are y'all gonna get into this?



ijunes
10.29.08 - 1:52 pm

reply

@rbi, i can bike and run but can't swim for shizzle.

ride 160 miles, run 24.3 miles.

but i cant swim more than 1k.



ijunes
10.29.08 - 1:54 pm

reply

This is def on my list of things to accomplish too! That story made me teary eyed and amped up! I'm all for it! More info please!



kryxtanicole
10.29.08 - 1:57 pm

reply

im a red cross licensed water safety instructor. thats fancy talk for being able to teach people how to swim each stroke effectively. i was the captain of my high school swim team for two years and sort of coached the junior varsity as well. i am a fish first and a cyclist second.



ruinedbyidiots
10.29.08 - 2:03 pm

reply

RBI - i'm a runner 1st & cyclist 2nd...but I can't swim too good and u sound a bit timid about running. sounds like we could possibly help each other out...running's easy though, all you gotta do is pace yourself and keep at it.



kryxtanicole
10.29.08 - 2:23 pm

reply

i dont run because i have fucked up knees and needed special shoes to do pe classes in junior high. once i got to high school i was in the water the entire year doing water polo and swim team and playing sports meant i didnt have to do normal pe. we never cross trained outside of going into the weightroom once a week.



ruinedbyidiots
10.29.08 - 2:25 pm

reply

I've been waiting for someone to post a triathlon (training) ride on MR. The ocean water should still be pretty warm, right? I can definitely do Sunday mornings.




jericho1ne
10.29.08 - 4:49 pm

reply