Uh oh! What did I do?

[ishy]

So I just saw a flier for a local gym that is working with the local tri club and giving away a free membership at the gym and local tri club, classes, gait analysis, VO2 max testing, free entry into a local race, and equiptment. I'm a sucker for anything free so I entered. I had just canceled my membership due to the budget being too tight for anyones liking...well I won the dang thing. Pretty excited and little worried at the same time. I am always in good shape and love working out, but I think my time at the gym is going to get real serious.

[Ben Nicholson]

Awesome! Good luck, but a word of warning, there is nothing cheap about triathlon. It will certainly get you ready for the mountains though. If you have any tri related questions let me know.

-Ben

[zpd307]

ben, tri's certanly can be expensive. but that depends on how competitive you want to get. in all reality, its more on what you put into it, not how much you spend.

[Ben Nicholson]

True. You don't need a bike that cost $5k, or a wetsuit or coach, etc... But, even barebones the cost adds up. Entry fees, shoes, tri shorts, at a minimum. The only reason I brought that up was the OP mentioned dropping his gym membership due to budget. Don't get me wrong it's a great sport and an incredible investment in your physical health. I've been racing tris for 9 years and would encourage anyone to give it a shot.

[zpd307]

ben, i forgot about the entry fees.... i am giving up on my dream of being an ironman due to the $600+ entry fee..... i have been doing tri's for the past 4 years.

[Ben Nicholson]

Don't give up on doing an IM. It's absolutely worth it. The entry fee is steep (I think WI cost me $750 last year) plus there is the travel expense, but the biggest "expense" of an IM is the time commitment. I'm not racing a full this season, but will be doing WI again in 2016. I've done three so far and I won't lie to you, it's a life changing experience.

[zpd307]

I did a 1/3 im this summer, a step up from the previous 3 years as a sprint. that was an eye opener to what lies ahead with a full im....

[ishy]

Totally worried about the money issue, but am also pretty resourceful when I "really" need something. Not sure what all is included but along with the club and gym memberships they are giving me equiptment and entry into a local event. I am kind funny, but I enjoy trying to keep up with what I've got attitude. My first marathon I got lots of comments because I was wearing old basketball shorts (and they weren't even my "long" pair). I think it would be fun to ride an old clunker bike, cheap shoes, and no wet suite and still be competitive. I am very competitive by nature, but love John Wooden's quote about the only true compition is with yourself.

[zpd307]

that's the spirit! my first tri was on my mtn bike, and I have yet to wear a wetsuit....

[bald9eagle]

Totally worried about the money issue, but am also pretty resourceful when I "really" need something. Not sure what all is included but along with the club and gym memberships they are giving me equiptment and entry into a local event. I am kind funny, but I enjoy trying to keep up with what I've got attitude. My first marathon I got lots of comments because I was wearing old basketball shorts (and they weren't even my "long" pair). I think it would be fun to ride an old clunker bike, cheap shoes, and no wet suite and still be competitive. I am very competitive by nature, but love John Wooden's quote about the only true compition is with yourself.

Riding a bike in old basketball shorts.....

Better have the whitey-tighties on....

[ishy]

So I went to the first meeting last night, and I geuss no one wears underwear in any of the longer distances! Something about not drying and chaffing. This is looking funner all the time! But there are some really great people involved that are all about helping, teaching, and making this fun. One of the other sponsors has already lost 325 lbs. Pretty cool stuff to see someone make that big of a change in thier lives.

[zpd307]

you didn't know that about underwear.....? uggg, all that sweaty wet cotton rubbing back and forth, back and forth, ouch ouch ouch. seriously, running shorts are like swimming trunks, they just have a mesh inner support liner, to prevent chaffing. I didn't take me long after I started upping my distances to leave the underwear at home. don't forget the body glide and apply liberally don't there, I mean everywhere!

[ishy]

So I may have not mentioned I haven't done the road bike thing at all. I did put 38 miles on my mountain bike this year in one day though with a pack and bow in tow with no problem.

[Ben Nicholson]

Chamois Butter will be your friend!