Trying a Womens Triathlon

You may watched a triathlon or seen pictures and thought "That looks cool! I'd like to try one, but I don't think I could do it." Keep those first 2 thoughts and chuck that third one right out a 5th story window. If you have any desire at all to race in a triathlon, then it is for you and you can do it! Yes, triathlons may seem a bit intimidating. Look at those pictures! Tone and experienced athletes jostling in the water. Tons of gear. But as a women, if you are interested in trying a triathlon, don't let uncertainty stop you! In fact, you can make your experience a more welcome one if you compete in a womens triathlon.

The first organized triathlon was held in 1974 by a San Diego running club who trained for marathons and 10K races. To add more fun and diversity to their training, they added swimming and biking sessions, and eventually started friendly competitions. The competitions grew in popularity and now triathlons are considered a sport unto itself. A few years later in 1978, a few hard core running, bicycling and swimming clubs in Hawaii, including several military athletes, came up with the idea of the ultimate triathlon competition, the Ironman: a 2.4 mi swim, a 112 mi bike segment, and a 26.2 mi run.

Women have competed in triathlons since the beginning. In fact, Lyn Lemaire was the sole woman competing in the second Ironman in 1979...and beat two-thirds of the participants. While women have always been a part of triathlons, in the beginning we were not represented in significant numbers. The intensity of the triathlon was probably daunting to many women (and men) who would have considered it. The women who did line up on the starting line tended to be competitive athletes from other sports, such as college swimmers or marathoners, rather than amateurs.

But many early female triathletes were also amateur--not necessarily fast, but fit and enjoyed a challenge. And eventually women-only triathlons were formed and started catching on. These triathlons are not easier--most have the same distance requirements of any tri. However, the creators and sponsors have the focus of exposing women to the experience of triathlon at levels that was achievable by anyone.

Now, womens triathlons like the Danskin Triathlon Series, which started in 1989, boast some of the greatest participation rates in the world. And high profile triathlons, the highest of which is the Olympics which added it in 2000, are inspiring more women participants.

Like I said, womens triathlons are still work; you still have to swim, bike and run the given distances. However, how you choose to compete is the subtle but important difference in a women's triathlon. For one, newcomers to triathlon are extremely welcome, especially because more women find the sport daunting. You will also find support getting through the ins-and-outs of the triathlon and usually won't feel much pressure of competition. On the other hand, for those who have raced before, womens triathlons still provide a competitive platform for those who want a challenge and the camaraderie of women (and women-oreiented sponsors) who face the same issues you face in this sport.

One major women's triathlon has a logo called "Grace"--the grace that makes women heroic, charming and limitless. This is in all women. And a womens triathlon is all about being strong and athletic, as a woman.