We have an incredible team of athletes at Triathlon Training Team. Each member has a story and a path that brought them to the here and now, we are so excited to share their stories with you so you can get to know our team that much more. We will be featuring athletes every month so be sure to check back often. Maybe you’ll find someone that shares your same fears, loves the same distance as you, has similar obstacles making it difficult to commit to training. Whatever it is you are looking for, we are confidant you will find it at Triathlon Training Team and look forward to joining you are on your journey!
Today we are honored to feature Triathlon Training Team member: Cindy
How did you start in triathlon?
A friend called asking to borrow a bike for a triathlon she was doing. She told me about the ladies-only Danskin sprint triathlon, a group of ladies from church was going to begin training for, and invited me to join the group. Who me…a cyclist? I wasn’t a runner, and definitely not a swimmer. Giving it a second thought, perhaps training for a triathlon might break through the two-year plateau I hit trying to lose weight. Curiosity got the best of me, could I really do a triathlon? I checked the distances, and knew the bike wouldn’t be a problem, heard others would probably be walking more than running, and confirmed the lake swim would be possible. I committed to training for the next eight weeks and we completed our first triathlon that year. I was hooked. Realizing the need to run more than walk to make a difference in the overall triathlon time I began earnestly training to run. Several of us have continued training together, signing up for triathlons, 5ks and bike rides as we saw events that were interesting. Mostly, the event had a great metal.
What do you enjoy most about the sport?
I enjoy the variety training three sports, the camaraderie and accountability of training with others.
Witnessing the moments of silence, when riding or running/walking in the middle of the big city. When we train in the outdoor pool at Belmont Shore and see the sunset when turning my head to breathe. Driving home after a swim to see the biggest moon ever on the horizon. Seeing the sunrise on early morning workouts. Wow! Moments in time that can never be repeated, and I saw them because I tri.
What is your favorite triathlon distance and why?
So far I’ve only done sprint distance. Post injury, the 5k run/walk is a trainable distance that fits into my life right now. Who knows what distance the future holds.
What are your goals for this season, what are you upcoming races?
Keep moving. Dial in nutrition when training. This year’s races are yet to be determined.
Do you have a bucket list race?
Not a particular race, just the ability to keep racing.
Describe the feeling of finishing your first triathlon?
Elation! Hearing “You are a triathlete” as I crossed the finish line.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to over come to participate in the sport?
Besides swimming in general. This past year I competed in triathlons with open water swims. I had done lake swims before but the addition of waves brought a whole new dynamic to the event. The first race with waves resulted in my first DNF. That was tough. My immediate reaction was to never do that again, but a few months later the waves were conquered completing my first open water triathlon. I wish I could say it was a “piece-of-cake,” but it will take time to be truly comfortable in that churning world.
The other obstacle has been being patient while recovering from an injuries.
What is your favorite memory/experience the sport has brought you during either training or racing?
The people. Encouraging others.
Is there anything else you would like me to ask that I didn’t? What would that questions and answer be?
Tri-Zone, in Los Alamitos offered free clinics leading up to the 2016 Race On the Base. That’s where I met Coach Diego and the Triathlon Training Team.
After Race on the Base, Tri-Zone offered clinics leading up to the Semper Tri with an open water swim. Since I never swam in the ocean or wore a wetsuit, joining the group was the perfect opportunity.
I joined the Triathlon Training Team, to be with a great group of athletes who are now friends, and ride in locations I wouldn’t ever ride on my own.
I was not athletic as a child, who knew, at 57, I would begin a sport with three disciplines. Training and competing is achieved only by the total and complete support of my wonderful husband. His encouragement allows me to challenge myself and press on.
Six years later, I’ve completed eight sprint triathlons, nine organized bike rides from 25 to 100 miles, and 23 organized 5k’s. Here’s to many more years of swimming, biking and running/waking!
