Become a Triathlete, Part 1 of 2
There’s little doubt that triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Between 1993 and 2000 USA Triathlon membership remained between 15,000 and 21,000 members. In the last five years it has jumped from 58,073 to almost 135,000 members. Add to that the 312,489 one day memberships for those participating in just one or two races a year, the number of people realizing the benefit of being a triathlete is staggering. The number and variety of reasons for such growth is equally staggering. In my opinion two of these reasons predominate.
The first is kids. There is no question that childhood obesity is a huge problem in our country. There’s also no question that given the opportunity, many if not most kids just might step away from the TV or computer if the reasons are quite simply…more fun. The second is aging baby boomers, who later in life caught a glimpse of themselves in a mirror and realized they were big, fat slobs (forgive me, I mean “girth challenged”). That is what got me involved, and I would bet that many of you reading this have already taken the plunge or are seriously considering becoming a triathlete for that exact reason. Say it….”I’m a big fat slob, and I want to be a triathlete”. Once you’ve come to grips with the accuracy of that statement, the next step is to begin your quest to one day answer “I’m a triathlete” when asked how you became so fit. After eleven Ironmans and multiple other triathlons of various distances, it’s still a bit of a thrill (not to mention a boost to my struggling ego) to utter that statement. As is the case with kids, I would have never become so obsessed with the sport if it were not fun.
Just this past weekend on August 1 was a homecoming of sorts for me to Marlborough Mass, my hometown and a place where many great memories of my life are. Part of who I am is due to this community and it celebrates it’s 350th anniversary this year as well.
Here are some way cool pictures of Joe T. and Keith K. at 
