Dear Newbies...

I just found and read an AWESOME post on beginnertriathlete.com, addressing the feelings and thoughts that go along with signing up for your first triathlon.  I'm hoping there are a few brave peeps out there willing to give it a go in 2012, and I wanted to share this great post!  It was posted by The Tri Pirate. Hope you enjoy!

Dear Newbies,

Let me be, perhaps, the first to welcome you to our sport.  We are extremely glad you are here.  You should hear it first, from a humble triathlete, that we welcome you with open arms.  Do not be intimidated or put-off by anything you read here.  Every one of us, the 100x Ironman and the first-timer alike; we started where you are.  We started as a regular guy or gal - bitten by the bug of triathlon.  We started as one who was infected with an idea that we couldn't shake.  We started 100lbs overweight; as injured runners; as bored cyclists, as out of shape fathers and mothers; as home-makers, business-people, students, retirees, and more.  We are you.

I can confidently promise you many things that are true, and many things that are not.  

I can promise you, 100% guaranteed or your money back, that you will work hard.  You will train more days in a row than you thought possible.  You will gain energy with each completed swim, bike, and run.  You will be sore, and you'll grow to love the feeling.  You will feel what we call "the wall", and in that moment you will know despair and the desire to quit.  You will feel the victory of breaking through "the wall", and in that moment you will feel powerful, and unstoppable.  You will feel tired, accomplished, and proud - and upon completion of your first race, after months of training, planning, and trepidation, you will feel accomplished.

What will you not feel?  You will not feel motivated every day of the week.  You will not feel the beat of motivational music following you around like a YouTube video.  You will not feel stronger every workout (though when you look back week over week, you will).  You will not feel sure of yourself when your friends, family, and co-workers look at you as a crazy person for attempting the "impossible".  Triathletes are crazy.  They're young.  They're athleteic.  They're in great shape.  You must be crazy.

The truth, however, is that you are crazy.  You have been, for whatever reason, bitten by the triathlon bug.  If you've made it this far, finding this forum and this very post, it's too late for you.  You will continue your journey.  You will research equipment, training, nutrition, and races.  You will meticulously prepare yourself to achieve what you feel drawn to.  I know that right now you can't fully articulate or explain it; there is just something you have to do.  You have to swim, bike, and run - you have to finish something that you started.  Whether you have done your first workout/training session or not.  If you've made it this far, you've already started in your head.  You will be a triathlete.  You will join our ranks and be welcomed with open arms. You have only to complete your first race to assume your title officially.

How can we help?

Everything said is absolutely true.  There are times when I feel absolutely invincible, stringing together great workouts over the course of weeks.  There are also times when I have zero motivation to do anything because my legs feel like they are pumping battery acid. But I love this sport.  I love everything about it.  I love the ups, the downs, and the in-betweens.  There is truly nothing like it.  Be brave.  Do something you never imagined possible.

If you don't know where or how to start, try looking for a simple training plan.  I got my first one HERE! They are free, you just put in the work.  Or EMAIL ME! I may be still new to the sport, but I want to help anyone if I can.  

Thanks Tri Pirate for a great post, and a great start to 2012!

Thanks for reading!