By: Joe Berg

As a supporting brother and a journalist, I am going to write some interesting articles for the TriEndurance community.  This will be a way for me to disseminate the knowledge and opinions that I have obtained and formed in my years as a multi-sport athlete, brother, and friend.  The articles will cover various topics and range in style from humorous to educational to dramatic (yeah right). 

In this introductory article, I will tackle some of the ever growing list of Triathlon inquiries and interesting thoughts.  Please feel free to contact me to add to this list or if you have any topics that you feel would be interesting to confront in the multi-sport world. 

How do we get involved in Triathlon?

Not many (or none) of us began racing triathlons for our high school athletic program, but we are all naturally competitive and need an ‘out’ for the energy we build up each and every day.  There comes a point in our lives when we decide that going to college, working full-time, or raising kids just isn’t enough to fulfill our intrinsic needs.  As a person we search for various activities, albeit sporting or not, to complete our lives.  There are certain criteria that each activity will have to meet in order for us to pour our heart and soul into it.  Do I have the time?  Do I have the money?  Will I meet new people?  Will this new endeavor challenge me?  How will I be perceived by others for taking this on?  And many more.  To answer all of these questions may result in you not taking on this new personal challenge, but that would be a waste, because you want his challenge and now you need this challenge.  

What does it take to be a Triathlete?

If you are reading this article, you have had the conversation with a friend when they continually tell you that you are crazy, or ask where you find the time or energy to always be active.  Admit it, that is a good chunk of the reason why you are a Triathlete.  During several years of racing, I realized how few people in this world have the guts or are willing to sacrifice so much to become a Triathlete.  I began telling people that I am a Triathlete because “I CAN”. 

I CAN wake up at 5 am for the morning swim practice.

I CAN bike to work to get the extra 20 miles in.

I CAN run during my lunch hour so I am able to spend time with my family.

I CAN exert all my energy on the weekend and recover for Monday’s work load.

I CAN spend an entire day training and proceed to eat 2 Chipotle® burritos.  

I CAN train with friends all year and race against them all summer.

I CAN REALIZE THERE IS LIFE WITHOUT TRIATHLON, BUT TRIATHLON IS NOW MY LIFE.

What is a Triathlete’s motivation?

Motivation is the lifeblood of such a demanding sport.  There is so much physical excursion and pain involved in performance that it must unscientifically outweigh the pleasure 300 to 1.  We feel the pleasure of training when we relax and let our muscles rest, “Boy do my legs feel great”, and then you get off the couch and fall over.  Where is the pleasure in not being able to walk or get out of a chair?  The pleasure is mental, knowing that you worked your butt off to get yourself to that level and will now achieve your goals.  Although these feelings are great, I think the motivation lies at the finish line.  When I look back at the 50 + races I have done in my short time, I know that my worst race was still an inspiration and motivated me even more.  Coming around that last bend in the road and seeing the clock ticking and the fans cheering is such a motivational factor that the months of training seem like the best time of your life.  Use, visualize, and harness the feelings of the finish line when you are riding into the 25 mph wind, running in the 90 degree heat, or driving to the pool at the ass crack of dawn.

What about the gear?

To analyze Triathlon gear is quite the conundrum.  If money is no object, then why not get the latest and greatest?  If you are on a tight budget, how do you make it work?  Where can you maximize value and performance in the balance of Triathlon gear?

I do not think it is necessary to have the lightest, most aero, or the newest bike.  I firmly believe that $900 is not well spent on race wheels if it means that you have to work extra hours that will take away from training.  The time saved from more aero dynamic wheels could be more than made up in the form of additional training.  While the grams lost with the race wheels could be lost in body weight for most athletes if they can train more.  This is a simplified answer to the justification of race wheels, new wetsuits, and other training gear.  Spend more time doing the sport you love then working to support the sport you love. 

Do Triathletes benefit from a coach?

To say that I am objective on this subject would be a lie, but we all need a coach.  We need a coach at work, at play, in life, and especially in Triathlon.  I say this while having my brother, Coach Jared, pretty much try to coach me through life.  He has used his Jedi Mind Tricks to influence me in ways that would make Obe Wan jealous.  I have my own mind, I can make decisions, but an older brother is always a mentor, a friend, and looking out for your best interests. 

In the years I had a Triathlon coach, I was able to use my training time more efficiently (less total workout time) and achieve better results.  During the one year I was officially coached, I placed in at least the top 4 overall in all of my races.  I was an All-American and setting PRs at every race I did.  In my mind I knew it was the last hurrah, so I gave it my all.  Having a coach to do the thinking for me made it happen.

Until next time.  Happy training and good luck.  I can be reached at joeberg1013@hotmail.com(.)

Date modified: 8/17/2004