Prescriptions
Doing triathlon is an attainable goal

By Angela Wagner

Did you know the Ironman in Hawai'i developed from an attempt to combine the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, the Around-Oahu Bike and the Honolulu Marathon?

John Collins, a Hawai'i naval officer, thought it would be a good idea to challenge everyone's athletic ability and see if they could do all three events in consecutive order. From this was born the Ironman, which served to motivate all those sports fanatics you see furiously riding around Diamond Head.

So, who cares, you say? How many people can participate in an event like the triathlon? Most everyone can.

There are many shorter-distance triathlons that are designed for folks who are not into spending their entire life training. For instance, an all women's event, the Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon, designed for the beginner triathlete, is scheduled for late summer on O'ahu. There are many other beginner-friendly events and even, on occasion, triathlons for kids. (Please note a half Ironman distance race, even though it is "half," is still too strenuous for a beginner.)

Adult beginners should strive to participate in an event that includes a swim not longer than 800 to 1,000 meters (almost the whole distance of Ala Moana Beach Park), a bike race equal to or less than 26 miles (it sounds worse than it really is) and a run equal to or less than 10 kilometers (about six miles).

There are many quality training groups out there, and training with a group may be appropriate for someone who desires skills-coaching and social support. You can locate these groups by asking around at local fitness centers and by word of mouth. You can train on your own, however, provided you are willing to be consistent. Fourteen to 18 weeks of training is usually sufficient for most folks, depending on your fitness level and the length of the event.

Expense is an issue for many, but you should remember that you do not need to purchase "the best" of everything. After all, you are striving to finish, not to win the race.

Bike lights, good shoes, well-fitting goggles, a water bottle and padded biking shorts are key purchases. Most other things are optional, other than, obviously, the fact that you have to have access to a bike. You don't have to buy expensive clothing either; simply use things that are comfortable. I know someone, in fact, who runs and swims in clothing that is 10 years old. (I'm hoping he'll win a race one day and some kind sponsor will donate a new swimming suit to him.)

K.C. Carlberg, owner of Try Fitness, a triathlon coach, and race director for the Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon, recommends triathlons for individuals not only for the physical benefits, but also for mental benefits. "Participants receive a sense of accomplishment, of personal achievement, in reaching their goal," Carlberg said. "They gain an increased level of confidence in that they begin to realize they can do what they once thought was inconceivable."

Carlberg also recommends triathlon or multi-sport events for kids. "Kids learn things that any adult would. They learn to train hard, be dedicated and to have a positive mental attitude. Most importantly, they learn discipline, the value of training and (the value of) working hard to reach their goal."

To find out about upcoming events, watch bulletin boards at local fitness facilities and look at newspaper calendars. Another good source of information is Hawaii Race Magazine, which includes a calendar of local races and is available free of charge at local fitness stores. One well-known triathlon appropriate for beginners is the Tinman, which is scheduled for mid-July.

I believe triathlons and multi-sport events are good for people of all ages. Transitions in sports are similar to transitions in life, and learning to accept change and "switch gears" are good lessons for people of all ages.

Besides, most people, kids especially, enjoy change. Kids actually benefit from participating in activities that make use of their shorter attention span. Triathlons don't force them to "concentrate on one thing," which is something that usually doesn't come naturally to kids. Plus, as I have said in earlier columns, learning to swim, and swim well, is a skill important for all of us.

You have probably seen footage of the Ironman triathletes crawling across the finish line and, although you feel the sense of accomplishment the participants feel, you may have no desire to do anything that makes you too tired to stand on your feet. Just realize that if you train appropriately, slowly and consistently, you can feel a great sense of accomplishment as you cross the finish line. If you choose your event appropriately, and train as you should, you will not be crawling.

Angela Wagner is a free-lance writer who also works for the Queen's Medical Center as a health educator specializing in diabetes and exercise, and for the state Department of Health as a program manager in the Health Promotion and Education Branch.

Hawai'i experts in traditional medicine, naturopathic medicine, diet and exercise take turns writing the Prescriptions column. Send your questions to: Prescriptions, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com; fax 535-8170. This column is not intended to provide medical advice; you should consult your doctor.