I have been asked many times over the years, “Why do you do triathlon?”
The simplest answer I have is, I do triathlon because it fulfills me in ways that nothing else can.
- It allows me to push my limits, both while training and racing. From workouts involving intervals while swimming, cycling and running to workouts involving long slow distances (LSD).
- It challenges me, both physically and mentally.
- It allows me to release endorphins…that makes me happy.
- It gives me structure to my training.
- It gives me goals to strive to achieve during training and racing.
- It allows me to dream..BIG 😉
- It allows me to spend time with like-minded family and friends.
- Swim/bike/run (SBR) makes my heart happy!!
- It is FUN!!
Do you participate in triathlon? If so, “why do you do triathlon?”
PushMyLimits 
I honestly could not imagine life without it! It keeps me active (which in turn is my biggest stress reliever) and keeps me on the path of a healthy lifestyle. It gives me goals which add a positive aspect to my life. I have pushed myself and broken through barriers that I would never have imagined doing. It makes me a stronger, better person! I love being part of the tri community and have meet some great people because of it!
This is all SO true for me also!! I will always find a way to tri 🙂
Am so much in awe with triathletes. I am a very weak swimmer (am 57 and never learned), but as they say, “you are never too old”
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
~Carl~
You are “never too old” to learn!! My mother has never been a swimmer (and I grew up on a lake that I swam in everyday in the summer months as a kid), so we got her swim lessons. She is almost 63 years old and is learning how to swim. It is never too late…you just have to want to learn 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement. Means a lot! 🙂
Glad to help!!
For me its all the above all round. I would miss triathlons greatly if I stopped. My goal and drive for the ironman is like a drug. No matter what, I’ll get there. The plan is for 2017, ironman70.3 UK this June. And the atmosphere at events are second to none, everyone gets on and encourage each over all the way to the finish line! For me that’s says it all! Take care and keep blogging!
I COMPLETELY agree with you!! The atmosphere (even when you are volunteering and/or spectating) at a triathlon is like nothing else and only lights the fire under me to keep doing them… hence my third Ironman finish line is only 21 weeks away 🙂 The training and racing aspect are indeed “like a drug.” I hope that my love and passion for triathlon and endurance sport never falters!!
OMG – I can’t believe Boulder is 21 weeks away!
Such a great question, and it’s fun to hear the different reasons why people “tri”. For me, the sport has afforded me so many adventures – not only pushing myself mentally and physically, but going to places like Sonoma and Idaho has allowed me to satisfy my travel but. I’d love to do an international race in some ways, but for now, I’m content just going to amazing places that are somewhat close by.
It’s also a great challenge, and I think that it is important, as adults, to continue to push ourselves in different ways.
Oh…the travel aspect is a great bonus for why I tri!! Thanks for the reminder Kristina!! 😉
Love this!! I run for the same reasons you tri and it is my true passion and love. I thought about doing a tri for a long time, and finally, the day after I turned 40, I got a pool membership so I could learn me some swimmin’!
I do it for the variety, to challenge myself, and to get out of the competitive feelings I get in running – every race had to be fast, PR, something, instead of maybe just having a little fun. I don’t know how to swim or bike fast, so it forces me to slow down and stop watching the clock. I’ve also wanted to do an ultra, but the thought of running only that long is daunting, so endurance triathlons are PERFECT!
Thanks for sharing!
I agree!! I use to push myself all the time when it came to running and I always had to be fast and PR…when I didn’t, it was a HUGE disappointment. Triathlon has changed my focus to FUN and I love it!! Yes…I am working hard to get faster and stronger, but I am still having fun while I do it 😉
Could not agree more! Especially with the fun part! 😀
Fun is the best reason to do it 😉
Lately I’ve been thinking about this a lot… I don’t know if it’s because I’m training for IM #2, but I’ve been doing a lot more reflecting this time around! I love the challenge and the mental release that training gives me. In my ‘circle’ there isn’t anyone else that does what I do, so I do feel isolated at times and that can be HARD! Sometimes I think about ALL the things I could do if I wasn’t training for an Ironman… but then I think about how much I LOVE it and how much it means to me, it’s a powerful experience!!
I’ve done a lot of reflecting on this topic as well since I am doing back-to-back Ironman competitions…something I’ve not done before. Bummer on not having people in your ‘circle’ to enjoy such an AMAZING experience. I hope that you find/create another ‘circle’ so you can have company on your journey 😉
Great list!! I do it because I love it. I love the training. I love how I feel after swimming, biking, running! I love racing. It lets me travel and different people. It challenges me!! 🙂
So true to all of the above!! LOVE it 🙂
I like being outside and moving under my own power. Triathlon is great because you get to use three different means to move around.
So true!! The variety is something I love!!
Yes-those are all the reasons I love it too! Fun being the main one 😉 It’s just so incredible to engage the mind and challenge the body at the same time because there is so much going on during a triathlon.
So very true!! 😉
Sometimes during a tough workout I have to ask myself, “Why am I doing this?” and come up with similar answers! 🙂 Triathlon is just a way of life!
It is good to remind ourselves “why we do this,” especially when it gets challenging 😊🏊🚴🏃