Why Not Tri? 
Anyone Can Train for a Marathon or Triathlon
"If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon,” advised 1952 Olympic marathon gold medalist, Emil Zatopek.
Despite the daunting challenge of a 26.2 mile race, more and more Americans are seeking this experience. According to MarathonGuide.com, marathon participation grew 10 percent nationwide in 2009 with 40 new marathons offered.
“You see people you might never expect to see running a mile, and they’re out there running a marathon,” says Lisa Fontaine, co-director of the Annapolis Ten Miler. “They have their body trained for the endurance.”
The Endurance Sport Craze
“Like marathons a few years ago, triathlon has kind of become a new craze,” says Katie Baker, the National Teams Program Manager for USA Triathlon. Always including three sports, triathlons  encompass a variety of races with different lengths and times. The Ironman is the longest and most challenging with a 4,200 meter swim, a 112 mile bike and a full 26.2 mile marathon.
“Most people start with the sprint distance,” Baker says. Generally a sprint distance event includes a 750 meter swim, a 20 kilometer bike ride and a 5 K run. “A lot of people are looking for opportunities to get fit or loose weight and triathlon makes it a fun way to do that.”
That was Stacey Elliott’s goal when she signed up for a triathlon two years ago. “I think a lot of people are scared of triathlons because they see it as highly competitive,” says Elliott, resident of St. Margarets. A 36-year-old mother of two, Elliott‘s prior fitness experience included step aerobics and spinning classes. But when she and a group of gym buddies decided to sign up for a triathlon she found that the only person she was competing with was herself. “Finishing was one of the single greatest moments of my life,” she says. “It was a tremendous sense of accomplishment.”
The Starting Block
Some running and biking stores offer training programs, but there are also many clubs in the area for marathoners and triathletes. “For a beginner, I think it is important to get with a coach or some type of training group to have that base of knowledge,” Baker says.
Annapolis marathon runner Mark Reyero agrees. A lifelong runner, he didn’t follow a training program for his first marathon. “That was probably a mistake,” he says. The second time he followed a training program and increased his time by about 15 minutes. For the beginning runner, training can mean the difference between finishing or not.
Reyero and Elliott both allowed five or six months to train, a standard timeframe for a moderately fit person to get ready for a race. From ground zero—the couch—it may take an additional couple of months to build up a base.
Craig Harrison, president of the Annapolis Striders running club says most people joining their 20-week training program have never run a marathon before. “They should be able to run five miles before they start the program,” he says. “But we have a beginner’s running group on Wednesday nights for people who’ve never run at all.”
The Basic Gear Bag
Good running shoes that fit well and match your running style are essential. “Everyone has a different way of running, a different gate. You’ve got to get the right shoe or you can hurt yourself” said Harrison, citing knees and back injuries, plantar fasciitis and shin splints as results of poor shoes..
Moisture wicking clothing will keep you cool and prevent chaffing. Water bottles or back-pack canteens are  important for longer runs. Energy bars or gels will keep you nourished.
New triathletes should explore all options when chosing a bike. Baker, who works with athletes training for Olympic level competition, completed her first triathlon riding a Huffy ten-speed. “The equipment matters,” she said, but “It’s [more] the engine not the car.”
A road kit for your bike - with an extra inner tube, patch kid, tire pump, and tools - is important to have. Most important, learn how to use them.
For a more comfortable ride, consider a specialized seat designed for men or women. Pedals with cages, also called toe clips, help by allowing you to use both the up and down motion of your legs. Clipless pedals and the matching shoes that snap into them are even more efficient, but also expensive.
Wetsuits are not allowed in some races, but, if you get one for training, use a swimming wetsuit. Water sport and dive suits restrict movement in shoulders and legs.
Just Get Out And Do It
Beginners and veterans agree that getting out there to train regularly is one of the hardest parts of their sport. Training with a group of friends and competing for a cause are great motivators.
Reyero ran the New York Marathon in support of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where his father had been a patient. “You actually pass the hospital at mile 17, and all the pediatric patients are out there cheering you on. It’s pretty emotional,” he says.
Whatever guides you out there, the point is to do it. At every race, there are average people proving that marathons and triathlons are not just for super athletes anymore.
RACES
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