IronDAD: Summer season is time to tri

Summer is here, and that means many things.

But to me, it means one thing in particular: It’s time to tri!

Triathlon season is here, and I couldn’t be happier. It is time to get out and swim, bike and run your way to fitness — or

possibly try a race for the first time. But what do you do if you have never participated in a triathlon? Do you have to have a fancy bike? Are you going to have to forego your usual running shorts for some of those tight bike shorts you see everyone on a bike wearing?

We will eventually get to those questions. I am happy to tell you that if you want to run a triathlon for the first time, you can do it.

If you have ever trained for a 5K run, then you can do a sprint triathlon. A sprint usually involves a 400-meter swim, 12-mile bike and a 5K run. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Running is just one sport, and you are talking about adding swimming and biking.” Yes, I know: It seems like a big jump, but that is your biggest hurdle. Get over the fact that it is a multi-sport race and use that energy to get your running legs on a bike.

If you are a runner who wants to try your first triathlon, good for you. You should have a great time transitioning to a cyclist and, with the run often at the end of a triathlon, you will still be going strong when you hit the finish.

What’s that you say? Not a strong swimmer? Neither was I, and I was able to do a full Ironman triathlon with two kids under 3 in my house. The key is organization. Before you make a goal for yourself of “trying to tri,” make sure you have the support of your partner, the money to invest in the proper shoes, bike and clothing and lay out a training plan in advance. 

Now I’ll answer one of those questions at the beginning of this column: bikes and bike shorts. Although you will not need a bike that costs thousands of dollars to participate in a sprint tri, you definitely will want to invest a few hundred dollars (probably more like $500 to $600) on a solid road bike. Cannondale, Trek and many others make wonderful bikes. You can visit your local retailer or even look on Craigslist for some great deals. Size and fit are everything with these bikes, so consult a professional for sure.

As for bike shorts … yep! You will want to be equipped with those. Although they can be a bit scary at first, you will get used to them.

There’s plenty more to share about how to go about preparing for your first triathlon, but it’s going to take more than one column — so stay tuned!

Cory is a husband, father of three, vegan triathlete and ironman. His blog, Real IronDAD, is a lifestyle blog about food, family and fun that helps passionate people, mostly parents, who have over-scheduled, busy lives maintain a healthy balance of plant-based nutrition, fitness and overall wellness. Visit him online at realirondad.com and follow him as “realirondad” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube or Instagram.