by April Corey
Triathlon season is right around the corner…are you ready? Have you been following your training plan, like your coach has planned out for you? Are you the type of person that likes to test their limits or do you like to race because of the fun of it? One way to make training and racing more fun is to join a local triathlon club.
If you are new to the world of triathlons, a triathlon club is a great way to learn all the ins and outs of the sport and find like-minded friends. If you have recently moved to a new area, it is a great way to get plugged into your community. The benefits of a triathlon club include:
Socials
This can be cookouts, a pre-race dinner before a local race or a holiday party. Seeing people outside of training is always interesting and you tend to hear “you look different with clothes on” a lot!
Group Bike Rides/Runs
Some people do better training with a group of people rather than flying solo. Personally, I like to do my weekday training by myself and then on the weekends, I enjoy the company of my fellow triathletes. It definitely makes those long training events more enjoyable.
Clinics
Clinics are a fun way to learn how to set up transition, work on your swim stroke or even learn how to hand off water bottles at a bike aid station. The veteran members can provide an abundant source of information on the whatnots of training and racing.
Matching Kits/Gear
Wearing matching kits during a race is always fun. You can spot a fellow club member and cheer each other on in passing. And most clubs will have a tent set up after a race for everyone to hang out and chat about their racing adventure.
Discounts
Depending on the size of your triathlon club, you may be able to get discounts on local triathlons. This keeps a few extra dollars in your pocket while you help support a local race. Some clubs will also have discounts to the local bicycle shops or running stores.
Premier Rack Placement
One of the local triathlons near me offers premier rack location for clubs that bring a certain amount of athletes to the race. This enables you to rack your bike and set up your gear with your friends in your club.
Social Media
Everyone these days has a social media account of some sort. Our club has a Facebook page that lets the members ask questions, inform of upcoming races, praise other members, post yummy recipes or sell/swap/trade gear.
Coaches
Having access to certified USAT coaches is a major plus. The coaches are an excellent resource for training questions. Most clubs have several certified USAT coaches, which provides you options with one that will fit well with you and your upcoming races.
Virtual Triathlon Clubs
If you live in a remote area where there isn’t a local triathlon club, there are virtual triathlon clubs that you can join. These are purely over social media where people all over the world can communicate via whatever social media platform they choose.