By Bytown Storm Triathlon Club
The Canadian Triathlon Championships are coming to town this summer and next, and along with the opportunity to witness some of the world’s top triathletes comes the perfect chance to get into the sport – or get more serious about it – thanks to a series of connected races for young to old.
“It’s really about having an active lifestyle,” Ottawa Triathlon lead organizer Greg Kealey says of the swim, cycle, run pursuit. “The three disciplines that it’s made up of are things people can do every day. It doesn’t take a lot of money to be involved. You don’t need a lot of specialized equipment.
“Not everybody knows how to swim, but most people do. Most people have been on a bike of some sort. And everybody runs.”
To get started in triathlon at a recreational level requires minimal effort, Kealey highlights, suggesting beginners get their bike properly tuned up at a place like Bushtukah, get a swim pass to City of Ottawa pools, and grab a pair of running shoes.
There is no shortage of websites that outline workouts and training programs for those who want to go at it alone, while joining a local club or program offers the opportunity to socialize and learn more about the sport while developing improved skills, and ensures training consistency and accountability.
Ottawa’s bubbling triathlon community offers a number of different options to individuals looking for different experiences in the sport. The City offers introductory courses for adults, Somersault Promotions holds a number of events to give racing a try, the Ottawa Triathlon Club appeals to masters age and recreational participants, Zone 3 focuses on the ironman distance, while Kealey’s Bytown Storm club are leaders in youth development and offer the expertise and knowledge from working with some of the world’s best coaches and athletes.
Joining a club program helps individuals improve their efficiency and technique in each discipline, Kealey adds.
“Just because you can go out and ride your bike for 40 km doesn’t mean you know how to ride the best you can to get the best performance you can,” highlights the experienced provincial and national-level coach.
This spring, the Storm will introduce another important step in racing with draft cycling clinics on a pair of Sundays, May 1 and 15, around Canadian Tire Centre. The July 23-24 Ottawa Triathlon includes Canada’s first draft-legal race for masters age group competitors.
The Storm also have regular masters programs that have been growing in popularity under standout coach Adam Smart. Those programs follow similar philosophies Kealey has implemented as he works primarily with the club’s youth athletes, where the unwavering focus is on long-term development.
“When they’re 14 or 15, we’re not worried about them coming 1st, 2nd or 3rd or their actual performances,” Kealey underlines. “It’s are we actually following the process so we’re getting where we need to?”
That means developing the skill set and discipline required to succeed in the sport. But most important for newcomers to remember, he says, is to “have fun with it.”
“It’s about picking what fits into your life comfortably,” Kealey adds. “If it balances well, you’re going to be in it longer.”
See http://ottawatriathlon.ca for more on the Canadian Championships events, and http://bytowntriathlon.com for more on clinics and programs.