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Giving Back: How Can We Enrich the Sport We Love?
By Betsy Delcour
2/10/2009 |
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Admit it, triathlon is a selfish sport. Sure, it can be many things to us – it can be our social outlet, a way to enjoy the outdoors, it’s a great way to manage our health and fitness, and it’s a great way for us Type A’s to burn off some competitive steam. But when you get down to it, all those hours training, obsessing over bike components, paying a small fortune for masters swim classes, gear, races, not to mention the time spent away from family and non-triathlete friends, triathlon can be a pretty selfish sport. And that goes double for those of us who compete in long course events, especially the Iron distance. For that, we NEED our family and friends to support us in the form of 4:30am wake up calls, picking up slack with chores and kids and occasionally picking us up in the middle of nowhere when we’ve out-flatted our spare bike tube collection on that long weekend ride. Then there’s the races themselves, where we’re cheered on by loved ones and strangers alike, all rooting for us to have a great race, stay hydrated and energized and keep smiling.
Think about the races themselves – what would they be without beloved volunteers? For one, the entry fees would REALLY go through the roof! But we’d miss out on the joy of wetsuit strippers, people showing us where to turn on the swim/bike/run routes, safety personnel, and the all-important aid stations. I think it’s safe to say that most triathletes are cognizant of what volunteers add to our sport, and many make a point to say their “please’s” and “Thank you’s” when receiving their assistance.
So why not take some time out from our harried schedules to give back to the sport? As athletes ourselves, think of the quality our experience would add to any race, team or club in need of some help. And it can go beyond being a race volunteer (though that’s a great way to give back!). Here are just a few ways that we can give back to the sport we love – but I’d bet you find your own life enriched in doing so!
Race Volunteer
OK, so this is the obvious way to give back! There are hundreds of multisport races every year – add single sport events to that mix, and we’re well into the thousands. Odds are, you’re not racing every single one. Check out the local events in your area and call up the race director – I’m sure he/she would be thrilled for an extra hand! Different races have different needs and levels of commitment necessary. Volunteering for the IM World Championship in Kona will probably require earlier contact, training and general involvement then say, volunteering for the weekly Thursday night time trial in your neighborhood! Sure, there are plenty of races that could use the help of anyone who shows up 30 minutes before the start, but know what you’re getting into and plan ahead when possible! Already harried race directors would probably prefer knowing they’ll have an extra hand a week or more in advance, over finding out minutes before race start!
Team In Training
More than 380,000 people have gotten involved with Team In Training (TNT) both as a way to train for events and to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Although many who become TNT’ers are first-time athletes who have found this as a great way to get professional training for a (usually) destination race (hello Honolulu Marathon?!) all while giving back, this is a great way for seasoned athletes to spice up their schedule and add another layer of depth to their training. In exchange for raising funds for LLS, participants are coached towards completing marathons, half marathons, triathlons, 100-mile century bike rides and hiking adventures. Typically participants race in honor of someone afflicted with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, wearing that person’s name and/or picture through the target race. Another great way to get involved in TNT, if you’re experienced and qualified enough, is to be a coach/mentor to participating athletes. Check it out at http://www.teamintraining.org/.
Girls on the Run
If you haven’t heard of this organization, just wait – it will soon be at a school near you! Founded by 4-time Hawaii IM participant, Molly Barker, Girls on the Run’s (GOTR) mission is to educate and prepare girls for a life-time of self-respect and healthy living – all while teaching them how to run by training for an all-girls 5K, in addition to other lessons in healthy living. Girls in the 8-12 year range are at a vulnerable stage, and GOTR aims to use running and life lessons – from body image to learning how not to succumb to peer pressure - to guide them. Men or women can become coaches – most programs meet at a local school or YMCA twice a week for about an hour, and last 12 weeks. A 5K at the end, where all local GOTR chapters put their training to the test, is the “graduation.” What better way to help shape the future of our society than being a positive influence encouraging young girls to be active, independent thinkers? For more information, check out http://www.girlsontherun.org/default.html.
Youth Triathlon Training
As the sport of triathlon expands, so do the age brackets of the people who participate in them! Youth triathlons are not necessarily new, but they are growing. These days, many YMCA’s or other community groups stage their own youth triathlons, usually geared towards kids between the ages of 7-12; age groups are generally along the lines of 7-9 year olds and 10-12 year olds. Besides volunteering at the race itself, many YMCA’s will have a few weeks of youth triathlon training – making sure kids know how to swim and understand the basics of transitions, bike safety and pacing. Check with your local Y about whether youth triathlons are available in your area, and see how you can get involved!
These are just a few of the ways we can give back to the sport we love. Volunteering helps us come full circle in making an active, healthy mulitisport hobby into our lifestyle, while enriching the experience for others. So think about getting involved in some way in 2009!
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