45+ Excuses Why Not ... & Why You Can

You're drawn to triathlon as a sport. The swim-bike-run combo looks fun. Your friends are training or already racing. You have a bike somewhere. You could use some me time, but you're not sure.
Tell me, what's stopping you?
2009 is your year to taste triathlon. As a triathlete, you'll surprise yourself as you face fears and set personal bests. You'll be more confident, have more energy and smile more often. People will be drawn to that difference. Triathlon is a rewarding sport for people of all ages and abilities. I hope to break down your obstacles: time, money, fear etc. Give triathlon a chance.

Common excuses:
1-I have no time.
2-I can't afford it.
3-I'm too old.
4-I'm afraid.
5-I'm not an athlete.

Don't see your excuse listed? Feel free to pick one of the 45+ excuses UW-Whitewater Basketball Player Matt Scott delivers in this powerful Nike 'No Excuses' Commercial.

I think my favorite is "I bruise easily." How about you?

Why You Can - #5 - "I'm not an athlete."

Excuse #5 - I'm not an athlete.

2009 is your year to taste triathlon. As a triathlete, you'll surprise yourself as you face fears and set personal bests. You'll be more confident, have more energy and smile more often. People will be drawn to that difference. Triathlon is a rewarding sport for people of all ages and abilities. I hope to break down your obstacles: time, money, fear etc. Give triathlon a chance.

You're drawn to triathlon as a sport. The swim-bike-run combo looks fun. Your friends are training or already racing. You have a bike somewhere. But still, you're not sure.

You think, "I'm not an athlete."

I disagree. Instead, I think Nike's Bill Bowerman nailed it with his powerful statement:

"If you have a body, you are an athlete." --Bill Bowerman, Nike.

This is the easiest excuse to overcome. Why? Because deciding whether you are or are not an athlete is up to you! It's your choice!

You don't have to be skinny, fast, young, strong or aggressive to be an athlete. You only must be willing--willing to try something new. To possibly surprise yourself and others of what you thought was possible. Are you an triathlete? Do you want to be? Then do it.

Find a safe place to begin, but begin.

• Volunteer at a triathlon and help other first-time athletes cross their first finish line. You'll learn a lot watching the race and talking with other athletes.
• Train for a relay triathlon. Pick the segment you are most comfortable with and find two friends to form a relay team.
• Check out an online triathlon community. You'll find me at active.com's newbie triathlete community. Come say hello, I'm a volunteer moderator.

One of my favorite quotes is from John "The Penguin" Bingham's No Need for Speed. It reads:
"The more you run, the more you are a runner. It sounds simple and it is. There's nothing more to becoming a runner than running. It isn't how fast or how far you run. It isn't even how long you've been running. It's only that you run that makes you a runner."

Bingham's concept applies to triathlon as well. Triathletes swim, bike and run. Some run faster, some have more experience, some prefer longer distances, but we've all found the value this rewarding sport delivers. Triathlon offers an experience. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it's scary, sometimes it's amazing. But it's an experience worth having.

Surprise yourself and say yes to triathlon. Grab a friend and get started. You can train for a sprint-distance race in 4-6 hours a week, for 6 weeks, as long as you train correctly. Since fitness is specific, you must swim, bike and run. And, you must add time, distance and intensity gradually to avoid injury.

Other common excuses:
I have no time.
I can't afford it.
I'm too old.
I'm afraid.

Photo: Me at Ironman Florida's transition 2. Each minute mattered in my race. Even small choices are important.

Why You Can - #4 - Say Yes to Triathlon in 2009

Excuse #4 - I'm afraid.

2009 is your year to taste triathlon. As a triathlete, you'll surprise yourself as you face fears and set personal bests. You'll be more confident, have more energy and smile more often. People will be drawn to that difference. Triathlon is a rewarding sport for people of all ages and abilities. I hope to break down your obstacles: time, money, fear etc. Give triathlon a chance.

• I know you're curious about triathlon.
• I know you have questions.
• I know you're nervous or even scared.
  And that's all OK.

I have major fear issues, mostly on the bike. (Ex: will I crash, will I ride off the edge, will I be mauled by rabid dogs, will I get a rock in my eye, will my front tire fly off ...).

I still get nervous on the road. But, I decided to live life, fear included. Some rides are better than others. Overall, it's worth it. I'm experiencing life: the good, the bad and the scary. Life is an adventure - let it happen.

Don't let fear stop you. Take a baby step, but take that step. With triathlon, check things out, volunteer at a race or train for a relay triathlon. Find a safe spot to begin. This is something you can do.

Remember you're safe here and in this sport. Triathlon is known for its camaraderie. I love triathlon's welcoming "yes you can" attitude. Triathlon is a great, safe place to try something new.

Tell me, what are you scared of as a new/experienced triathlete? How do you manage those fears?

If you're worried about looking or sounding stupid, check out active.com's newbie triathlete community, where no question is stupid. You'll find me there, I'm now a volunteer moderator. Come say hello.

Photo: Our son was afraid before his first youth triathlon. He raced anyway. I'll never forget the look of wonder on his face as he crossed his first finish line. Life's an adventure worth living.

Why You Can - #3 - Say Yes to Triathlon in 2009

Excuse #3 - I'm too old.

2009 is your year to taste triathlon. As a triathlete, you'll surprise yourself as you face fears and set personal bests. You'll be more confident, have more energy and smile more often. People will be drawn to that difference. Triathlon is a rewarding sport for people of all ages and abilities. I hope to break down your obstacles: time, money, fear etc. Give triathlon a chance.

Triathlon is for you. Yes you. Triathlon is a great sport for people of all ages and abilities.

Triathlon offers something for anyone, any age. Our son Truitt's first youth triathlon included a 50-yard swim (kickboards allowed), 1-mile bike and .4-mile run. He finished his first race in 19 minutes and 19 seconds.

What do you think the finish line feels like? It's not too late to find out.

On the other end of the age spectrum, our former next-door neighbor Mary Stroebe continues to make news, break records and serve as an amazing role model. Mary shows us it’s never too late to try something new. Mary got started in triathlon at age 75. She’s completed over 12 races. And, at age 89 Mary went head-to-head with TV host Kelly Ripa in a timed triathlon in New York City.

You'll also find inspiration listening to Growing Bolder's interview with Sister Madonna Buder. She's known as the "Nun on the Run." She didn't become a runner until she was 48 years old. She's finished 40 marathons and 34 Ironman triathlons. And at age 75 she became the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship.

Don't miss Tony Handler's story. Handler is a six-time cancer survivor and master triathlete. Listen to his Growing Bolder interview here. Since his initial diagnosis 25 years ago he's finished 220 triathlons!

It’s so encouraging to see friends and family, young and old, falling in love with a sport like triathlon. Don't hide behind excuses. If the sport of triathlon appeals to you, stop and listen. Don't leave room for regret. Take a chance and say yes to triathlon in 2009.

You can train for your first sprint triathlon (1/4-mile swim, 15-mile bike and 3.2-mile run) in a few months. Depending on your current fitness level, and your goals, you can train for your first event in as few as 4-6 hours a week.

Other good articles:
Excuse #1 - I have no time.
Excuse #2 - I can't afford it.
Your First Triathlon
What the Finish Feels Like

Resources: Since you'll probably register for your first event using active.com, take a minute and check out active's triathlon community. There is a section just for beginners, where no question is stupid.

Photo: Truitt racing at his second youth triathlon the next summer. His youngest brother Elias was disappointed the race didn't allow 4-year-olds to compete. Maybe this year Elias.

Why You Can - #2 - Say Yes to Triathlon in 2009

Excuse #2. - I can't afford it.

2009 is your year to taste triathlon. As a triathlete, you'll surprise yourself as you face fears and set personal bests. You'll be more confident, have more energy and smile more often. People will be drawn to that difference. Triathlon is a rewarding sport for people of all ages and abilities. I hope to break down your obstacles: time, money, fear etc. Give triathlon a chance.

There was nothing fancy about my first triathlon:
- I wore a swimsuit I already had. I bought goggles, I'm sure they leaked. Read goggle selection and care tips from 22 triathletes in this active.com post.
- Fortunately I had a basic mountain bike and helmet from college, so I used those. I did clean the chain and checked the brakes.
- I wore a cotton t-shirt and spandex, very basic. Many nicer options now available!
- I wore tennis shoes I already had. I played soccer and liked running, so I had lots of shoes.

For more ideas, check out 18 other opinions on triathlon expenses on this active.com thread. You'll learn what gear is required, what gear gives you more bang for your buck and where you can shop for used stuff.

Don't hide behind excuses. If the sport of triathlon appeals to you, stop and listen. Don't leave room for regret. Take a chance and say yes to triathlon in 2009.

You can train for your first sprint triathlon (1/4-mile swim, 15-mile bike and 3.2-mile run) in a few months. Depending on your current fitness level, and your goals, you can train for your first event in as few as 4-6 hours a week.

Other good articles:

Excuse #1 - I have no time.

Your First Triathlon

What the Finish Feels Like

Resources: Since you'll probably register for your first event using active.com, take a minute and check out active's triathlon community. There is a section just for beginners, where no question is stupid.

Picture: Ken and I at my first triathlon almost 14 years ago. He proposed hours before the race. It was a beautiful day for racing.