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David Bass, the assistant race director of the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon, called me with a message this week.
With about 16 weeks left before September’s race, it’s not to late to decide to do this year’s race.
“It’s never time to panic,” Bass said. “But it is time to get serious.”
As someone who has been working to get ready for this year’s swim, bike and run since January, I was quite relieved to hear I still had plenty of time to get ready for the Sept. 13 event.
But Bass wasn’t referring specifically to me, he wanted to reach out to anyone who has ever thought they would like to participate in annual Back Mountain tradition.
“People dream about doing a triathlon, doing their local triathlon,” Bass said. “It’s not too late to realize that dream this year.”
Now, if you started at the fitness level I started at back in January, you just may want to aim for next year’s race.
However, if “you can ride a bike for 30 minutes, run for 30 minutes and know how to swim, you could probably make it,” Bass said.
Great news for me because I can do all those things, and great news for anyone who has thought about completing the race.
Bass speaks from experience. He said when he began training for his first triathlon he could swim about 25 yards “without dying.”
“I still wouldn’t call myself a swimmer,” he added.
But he kept at it, slowly becoming adept enough at the swim to be able to become a triathlete, but still referring to the swim portion of the event as a “necessary evil.”
“Everyone who starts as a new triathlete as some hurdles they have to overcome. Everybody has some challenges up front,” Bass said. “Don’t let that stop you.”
Bass suggested first-time triathletes seek out more experienced racers for help. He said places like the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center where triathletes train can put you in touch with others training for the race.
He also suggested just going to watch a race and talking to people.
“You are not alone out there,” Bass said. “There are local groups out there that can connect you with people.”
And what does a first-time triathlete get out of completing his first event?
According to Bass, “a huge sense accomplishment.”
That sounds great, but just hope to finish in time for the Sunday night football game.