Most would agree that running, biking and swimming are great ways to stay in shape. Most would also agree that running, biking and swimming back-to-back-to-back for endurance distances is crazy. Most aren’t triathlon athletes.

From March to November throughout Central Florida, there are dozens of triathlons to participate in, from young children to grandparents, no age is turned away from what some consider one of the most difficult challenges the human body can overcome in sports. But do you have what it takes?

For single mother Beth Crepeau, an Oracle technical support engineer, it’s a challenge she craves. Having evolved from a runner in grade school and college, to a marathon runner for the better part of a decade, to a current triathlete, she wouldn’t trade the countless hours spent training and competing in triathlons for anything.

“For me, it’s really ‘my time.’ It’s where I can schedule a time for just me, turn my brain off, be stress free for a bit and just enjoy swimming, biking and running,” she says. “It’s my zen.”

In fact, Crepeau enjoys it so much she has actually taken on the role of coaching other local triathletes.  She began coaching athletes in 2004 to complete either a marathon or triathlon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program, an endurance fundraising team composed mostly of beginners who have never run competitively before.  In February of this year she took over coaching the Lake Nona YMCA’s 80 member tri-club known as Team Vortex.  From beginners to Ironman competitors, the team consists of athletes of all levels and abilities.

So, according to Crepeau, what does it take to be a successful triathlete? “I think you definitely have to be a Type A personality, you have to be a little selfish and you definitely have to be willing to try something completely new and different than you’re used to,” she says. “You have to be somewhat of a risk taker and you can’t be afraid of open water obviously, because a large part of triathlons is spent swimming in lakes or the ocean.”

But more than that, to successfully complete a triathlon you have to have a special kind of mental toughness. “Doing a triathlon is something that you have to do for yourself, so I think you have to be able to go inside your head and find that strength that you need to do something when it’s not something you’re used to,” says Crepeau. “A lot of being able to do the three sports back-to-back is getting used to what your body feels like while doing each one so you can pace yourself and make sure you can do the distances.”

For beginners, you’ll typically want to do 2 workouts of each discipline a week. It’s important to start at least several months in advance of your race date, and Crepeau says to never underestimate the power of a rest day. “For the first few days, maybe just start out with a 20 minute run and the next day do the same thing in the pool then get on the bike and ride for 30 minutes or so just to see what it feels like, but always give yourself at least one day off per week,” she says.

From there you can start to increase intensity, but Crepeau suggests reaching out to other groups, clubs or coaches that deal with triathlons to get the most out of your training and the triathlon community. “It’s an incredible feeling to look back over your shoulder once you cross the finish line and realize what you’ve just done on your own two feet, by yourself, but first you have to get there,” she says.

“Check out your local YMCA location to see if they have a tri-club. Most of the time it’s included in membership so there is no extra fee, that’s probably one of the best things you can do when you are looking to get started,” she says. “Triathletes as a group are very caring and giving, and we really stand beside each other. We’re competitive and want to win, but we’re really like one big family more than anything.”

Want to Learn More?

Contact Beth Crepeau at the Lake Nona YMCA by calling 407.852.3520 or e-mail triteamvortex@gmail.com.

Article by Corey Gehrold