A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to compete in my first-ever triathlon. For as long as I can remember, this has been something I have wanted to accomplish, but I have always been intimidated by the amount of training I would need to do and the mental toughness I would need to have. Much to the surprise of myself, in just a few short months, my training got me to where I was able to successfully complete an entire sprint triathlon. After competing in this event, I have come to the conclusion that everyone should try to compete in a triathlon at least once in their life.
Growing up, I was always active in sports. From dance to soccer to basketball, it seemed as though I tried out nearly every sport there was. As I got older, I found my passion for track and field, and my high school years were spent as a cross country runner and pole vaulter. The transition to a college life without sports was one that was tough, and it did not feel the same to go to the gym on my own without the team atmosphere or a competition in mind. Joining the Triathlon Team at UMKC has allowed me to regain some of the team comradery and athletic competition while not having to deal with the stress of balancing collegiate-level athletics and my medical school education. I get to choose when I want to work out and what I want to do, which eliminates much of the stress that came along with my high school athletic experience. If you are in the same boat as me, and you are missing athletic competitions in college, I would highly recommend incorporating triathlons into your life.
I understand that not everyone has a sports background, nor does everyone want to frequently compete in triathlons throughout the year. Even if you are the type of person who wants to complete one triathlon and call it good, I think there are still many benefits to reap from the experience. For me, I have found it refreshing to be able to vary the exercises that I am doing every day. I have been a runner for many years, but the training can become redundant, and at times it has taken a physical toll on my body. By incorporating swimming, biking, running and strength-training workouts into my routine, exercise has become something that I find I look forward to each morning when I wake up. I have also found that I am now having a harder time wanting to incorporate rest days into my schedule than wanting to incorporate workouts into my schedule.
Finally, the main reason I believe that everyone should compete in a triathlon is because it provides an opportunity to celebrate the miracle of what our bodies can do. Prior to my training, I was not confident in myself or my ability to successfully complete the challenge, and I greatly overestimated the time it would take me to be ready to compete. While I am certainly not setting any records, in about three or four short months, I was able to build up the endurance and strength to take on a task that I thought was insurmountable. To me, this was a testament to how amazing my body truly is. I have always struggled with body image, and much of my motivation for exercising has stemmed from the desire to stay skinny or to make up for meals I have eaten throughout the day. However, the fact that I was able to complete a triathlon has greatly restored the confidence I have in my body, and I have completely reshaped my mentality surrounding exercise. Now, instead of a punishment, exercise is what it should be: a beautiful way to celebrate our bodies and all the amazing things they can do.
Whatever your motivation may be, I truly believe that everyone can benefit from competing in at least one triathlon in their lifetime. Whether you are a Division I athlete or you have never competed in a sport in your entire life, this task is achievable for anyone who has a good mindset and is willing to put in a bit of work. I know the idea of a triathlon sounds scary, and trust me, I have been there. That being said, our bodies are truly amazing creations, and we are all capable of doing challenging things.