LOCALadk Magazine

56 Summer 2018 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Most Common Triathlon Distances: Sprint: Swim .5 mi, Bike 12 mi, Run 3.1 mi (Sprint distances var y the most.) Olympic / International: Swim .9 mi, Bike 24.8 mi, Run 6.2 mi (Swim 1.5k, Bike 40k, Run 10k) Half: Swim 1.2 mi, Bike 56 mi, Run 13.1 mi (aka "Half-iron," 70.3) Full: Swim 2.4 mi, Bike 112 mi, Run 26.2 mi (aka IRONMAN, Iron-distance or 140.6) "Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right." - Henry Ford I consider the Adirondacks to be a giant adult playground. There are an endless number of activities and adventures year round. Triathlons are among them. And the Adirondacks are home to several races from June through September, each year. A triathlon might sound intimidating, but in reality the sport is the combination of three activities most of us did as kids: swim, bike, and run. It is as simple as that. People sometimes, incorrectly, use the terms "Ironman" and triathlon interchangeably. While IRONMAN is the biggest name in the sport, there are many other triathlon options, with a wide variety of terrains and race distances, including many independently-run events throughout the Adirondacks. It may come as a surprise, but most triathletes are NOT "super athletes." In fact, it is not uncommon for triathletes to have no significant prior athletic background. Many started running, learned to ride a road bike, and became comfortable swimming long-distance later in life, as adults. Further, triathletes come from all walks of life. There are moms, dads, busy executives, entrepreneurs, teachers, firefighters, veterans, and waitstaff. Some are over weight, others are cancer sur vi- vors, and still others are missing limbs. Getting Started Stop thinking about it and just do it! Pick a race Picking a race is the first step in making your commitment to complete a triathlon. This puts a date on the calendar and your idea of doing a triathlon now becomes a goal with a timeline. Websites like Active.com and TriSignUp.com are good plac- es to search for events in your area. The free Adirondack Sports newspaper can also be a great resource. It never hurts to speak to the people at your local bike and run shops as well. Gear One doesn't need more then a pair of sneakers, a bike (any kind of bike), and goggles to get started. "Nice to have" items include a sports watch, heart rate monitor, bike computer, wetsuit, and sunglasses for eye protection. A pair of bike shorts can also be helpful. After that, there's plenty of extra stuff and gear to buy, but only if you want to. What Does It Take To Become A Triathlete? By Chris Kaplanis John DiGiacomo

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