TCSD - Triathlon Club San Diego

So after working out on my own for several months, it was time to take the next step and join the local triathlon club. I was a bit nervous joining up with TCSD, after all I had never raced a triathlon, I could still barely swim a few laps in the pool, and my running was still more of a chore than anything else. The only thing I really like was getting out on the bike and ridding. I had done a few Saturday rides with the San Diego Bicycle Club (SDBC) in their development groups. In these groups they take in inexperienced riders and teach them the basics of group riding, drafting, etc. It was a lot of fun, and my confidence grew as I moved up in the development groups. However, I was starting to see that I wanted to take my training in a different direction. The draw of triathlon was really starting to pull on me.

So I attended one of the TCSD beginner meetings. I was a bit nervous walking into the first meeting. So many fit people, many talking about the races they had competed in, and their getting ready for their next races. But I soon looked around and found a bunch of people just like me. Most of the newbies were people that liked one of the sports and for some crazy reason wanted to try out triathlon. There were former college swimmers, marathon runners, and a few cyclists. Interestingly, there were fewer cyclists, mostly swimmers and runners. Probably just the way it worked out for that meeting.

I have to say that joining the Triathlon Club of San Diego was the best move I could have made. What a great group of people! Triathletes are a different breed of people for sure, they love their sport, and love introducing new people to it and helping them develop in the sport. So I will pause to say.... if you are at all interested in triathlon and don't know where to start, seek out your local tri club. Now I can't speak of any other clubs and how they work, but TCSD is incredible! If you are in San Diego and thinking of getting into multisport, go to one of the beginner meetings and join up with some of the workouts. No attitude in these groups, just people having a good time doing what they love and a genuine desire to help others learn and get better. I recommend joining up right away, however the great thing about the club is that most of the group workouts are open, so you don't have to be a member to work out with them. Though I think once you attend a few club workouts you will join up.

In closing I will say, one of the things that I find most uplifting about the club is the overall positive attitude of the participants. It is really uplifting to be a round people that are positive and excited and appreciate life. Many times reading some of the posts in the club group remind me to take a moment and enjoy life for what it is.

Taking the next step

Hard to believe that the last post was in October. It is great to go back and read that post.

So much has happened, and I have learned so much since that last post and those first training sessions. Since October I joined the Triathlon Club of San Diego, completed one club race then went on to complete my first official Triathlon the Spring Sprint in Mission Bay, San Diego. Two weeks later I completed my second race, the Encinitas Sprint Triathlon, and a week and a half later completed my first club Aquathalon (1000 M ocean swim followed by a 5K run).

Maybe a little over zealous to get started, as I am now taking a bit of a break to let my body recover and get ready for the next challenge. However it is a great start, and one that I have gotten so much out of so far.

In the process I have learned a lot about myself, I gotten back in touch with how much I enjoy exercise and the positive feelings that come from it. I'm learning to better balance the demands of work, family, and training. Difficult to say the least, but rewarding on the occasions when I get it right. It is inspiring to see my young son take interest and copy daddy when it comes to the training. Soon enough he will be on a bike of his own. Who knows, maybe signing up for Ironkids Triathlon someday. I think I am getting a bit ahead of myself.

I think now is a good time to think back on what I have achieved so far, and then take a look to the next steps and goals.

So with that, I think I will take a break and create a few posts that go over some of the milestones leading up to today.