A couple of weeks ago I was a volunteer at a local Tri for Fun. This is the same event where I manned the water station in mid June and that I competed in in mid-July. This time, the mid-August event, I hit the volunteer job jack pot – transition area monitor. I even got the bullhorn so I could call out – ‘Please walk your bikes in transition!” “You must fasten your chin strap before leaving transition!” “Runners over here! to get to the course!” It was way fun.
What amazed me was the variety of participants and gear. There was everything from the guy on a super duper Cervelo carbon dream machine with deep dish carbon wheels wearing an aero helmet, to the guy who clearly grabbed his child’s helmet on the way out of his garage and nearly choked himself to death while putting it on. There was a 10 speed bike that had a big plastic milk carton attached on the rear fender with bungee cords. There were people in tri suits, regular bathing suits, and surfing jammers.
I was especially pleased to see these 2 women who in the June event were the last 2 in by quite a big margin but who this time left at least 20 people behind them as they exited T2 . They struggled so hard their first time and this time it was obvious that they are making significant progress on their journey to wherever they are going with triathlon. They both looked really happy heading out for the run, knowing they were no longer last.
If you are skimming tri blogs just thinking about doing one for the first time in the future, keep nurturing that thought. If you are intimidated because you don’t have a nice bike or you aren’t a strong swimmer feggedaboutdit – just do it. Find a local Tri for Fun and see how it goes. You will be in great company and you may well surprise yourself. Most of all we may soon be able to give you our wry triathlete smile as we welcome you to the crack house.
21st-century-mom.com 
Love this post! You are so right about ditching the intimidation and just going for it!
Hi! Great blog! 🙂
I did that Tri for Fun in pleasanton on Aug 18 as my first tri! 🙂 You probably yelled at me to walk my bike. hehe. It was a blast, and not nearly as scary as I thought it might be. Can’t wait for the next one (Mission Bay Tri on Sept 30). I agree everyone should get out there and Tri the tri, it is so fun. Thanks for volunteering! I’ll be reading your blog, I live right in Dublin CA so probably not too far from you. 🙂
I’ll second that. Plus they are LOADS of fun, hence the name “…for fun”
Heh – You are so right. I have read around, and there are some folks out there who are triathletes who take themselves so seriously. WE ARE NOT ALL LIKE THAT. For many of us, it’s a friendly sport. A family sport. We cheer each other on and we’re good to each other.
welcome to the crack house. Yeah.
Great photos and inspirational post! Thanks!
This is a very important post perspective that I think gets lost amongst all our thoughts. I tend to right this very post, (minus the volunteer perspective) at least once per week and just get lost in my head.
Thanks
This is a very important post perspective that I think gets lost amongst all our thoughts. I tend to right this very post, (minus the volunteer perspective) at least once per week and just get lost in my head.
Thanks
weren’t you just a wee tempted to yell other stuff through the bull horn?