Wow! An amazing bunch of 18 women challenged themselves, and maybe you, to participate in the Denver Tri for the Cure – A Women’s Triathlon. I was lucky enough to have the honor and pleasure of talking with an amazing group of women this week. Getting started immediately, our detailed, day-by-day plan takes us through to the Aug. 2 event. We plan to meet monthly and take on one discipline each time. Our next meeting is Saturday, March 21 at 8 a.m. The group will run outdoors, weather permitting. A plan is a compass, not a timetable, and it’s never too late to join us, so read on.The women came to the group with different levels of fitness and different reasons for taking on the challenge. In addition to the basic desire to be fit and healthy, some feel the need for a new goal, some want to compete at a higher level, some seek motivation from the interaction with others and, of course, all want to support this cause. Many have friends or family members who have been touched by breast cancer. Last year, my sister-in-law suffered a mastectomy following stage 4 breast cancer.Next month, I will introduce you to the team and write about our progress four weeks into the training. At that point, even those who join the team with a minimum level of fitness will be running for at least 20 minutes or as much as two miles at a stretch.Why should you participate in a triathlon? You may have your own reasons – but here are a few to consider:Fun: There’s no question you will work hard, but swimming, running and biking with your friends is fun.Competition: Maybe you’re not going to be the winner in the elite group, but you might beat your sister on the bike ride. Perhaps you’ve never been the most coordinated in your family, but swinging your leg off that bike and beating the next girl to the start of the 5k could be quite the rush.Hitting a goal: Marking one more item on your “bucket list” completeSocial interaction: Triathlons are friendly events. Even the elite take the time to say “good luck, keep going.”Getting fit: It is inevitable that the cross training involved in this event will improve your level of fitness. You won’t get bored because you have the diverse disciplines. You’ll have the motivation of the date on the calendar and the people beside you who want you to succeed.Additionally, this event supports breast cancer research. The Denver Tri for the Cure event is in its sixth year and last year raised over $150,000 to benefit the Denver affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.This event is limited to 3,000 women. The elite wave begins the race, followed by survivors and then age group waves of 100 women each. Buddies will start in a special wave and go out after the age group waves – experience tells me it might be hot at that point, so our group plans to compete in the age group waves.In the United States, membership in triathlons has increased at a rate above 10 percent each year, and the sprint triathlon is the fastest growing race distance.If you want to join us, call me at Snap Fitness at 719-622-6601, e-mail me at falcon@snapfitness.com or visit the gym any time. Non-members of the gym are welcome to join the group, with nominal charges for monthly events. A discounted membership package will be available to group members to train for the event.
