Summer 2003

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This year, the "2003 City of Los Angeles Triathlon" is all about me
by James Reilly
August 28, 2003

Training to compete in a triathlon is a selfish endeavor. This is what I have learned since making the decision to enter the 2003 City of Los Angeles Triathlon (which takes place on September 7th) as a multi-sport athlete. You may have read the story I wrote for iFlyLAX.com last year about my experience as the cyclist member of a three-person relay team in the event. My respect for those athletes who took on all three legs of the race as solo competitors, and a recent challenge to a triathlete friend in Florida, have become the catalysts which will toss me into the ocean at Venice Beach less than ten days from now.

If all goes as planned, I'll emerge from the water unbruised; sprint to my bicycle in the transition area; mount up and pedal furiously through the streets of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Hollywood until I reach the bike-to-run transition area next to Los Angeles City Hall; change shoes and leave the bike and helmet behind for a 10 kilometer run up to Dodger Stadium and back to the finish line at historic Olvera Street. (Click here to view a course map.)

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So what's so selfish about all that?... It might seem like somewhat of a sacrifice.

Well, racing in the event is the culmination of months of preparation, and a workout schedule that has been "all about me". In a quest to swim better, ride faster, and run stronger, I've had to train for the specific disciplines at least five days a week. I've concentrated on my swim stroke, my leg power, my running technique, my heart rate, and my lung capacity. Additionally, I've monitored my diet and my calorie intake, and ensured that my body has been properly hydrated and gets enough rest. Actually, training for an olympic length triathlon (1500 meter swim, 40 kilometer bike, 10 kilometer run) is like taking on a part-time job... without pay! (To train for an Ironman length event would be a full-time job.)

Speaking of money, just how much does it cost to race in a premiere triathlon like the L.A. Tri? Actually, the entry fee is quite reasonable, especially when you consider the great "swag" (free stuff) competitors receive at the event Expo (which is open to the public, too) held the two days before the race; not to mention the huge support and security staff, county lifeguards, and L.A.P.D. and traffic control officers hired by the event's organizers to keep things running smoothly and keep the city streets clear and safe for participants.

As far as other expenses go: to ensure I would feel confident (and safe) in an almost one-mile ocean swim in the midst of many others, I enrolled in a community Master's swim class for $29. And before attempting any considerable rough water swim practice on my own, I participated in an ocean swim clinic sponsored by SCAQ (Southern California Aquatic Masters Swim Club) for $30. Swim goggles are a must, and I'll probably buy a new triathlon-specific wetsuit for a couple of hundred dollars, but the ocean won't be particularly cold in early September, so a wetsuit will be optional.

For training and racing, a good pair of running shoes was required, along with some nice running shorts and such, all for about $150. But by far the biggest expense you'll encounter should you choose to take on the sport of triathlon is a decent bicycle -- because your old beach cruiser won't do. However, neither will you need to spend $5000 on a top-of-the-line, time-trial/triathlon specific bike. For about a grand, you can pick up a respectable road race bicycle (less, if you are eBay savvy), a pair of cycling shoes, pants, and a helmet. In my case, as a cyclist/racer from way back, I have a nice Trek (much like Lance Armstrong's TDF racer) that I bought some years ago which has been slightly modified to perform in the 24.8-mile bicycle leg of the race. But by all means, don't let the expense of buying a bike keep you from getting into triathlon. Because you'll certainly get your money's worth out of it; as cycling becomes a regular part of your athletic lifestyle.

The last expense you may incur will probably relate to nutrition. All those calories you burn and fluids you lose during training will need to be replaced. In addition to a diet of quality carbs and protein, you'll need lots of water and most likely start downing energy bars and gels, re-hydration specialty drinks, and recovery shakes. The variety of these type of "power" products is endless; which brands you decide to use will be a matter of personal evolution.

The cheapest commodity in your triathlon expense book will be advice. But just because advice is cheap, or free, doesn't mean it's not good. In fact, once you begin to get involved with training, you'll certainly meet other like-minded, healthy, enthusiastic and friendly athletes; many of whom are tri-veterans who have tried and tested all that is new to the beginner, and are happy to pass on the information. You'll also find opportunities to join clubs and clinics which will help you get on track with proper techniques, and help you avoid pitfalls and training errors.

But after all is said and done, triathlon is an individual effort. And it's now up to me to put down my pen and hit the road. Today, the plan is a moderately paced 25-mile bike ride which will be followed by a 4 to 5 mile run -- a training method called a "brick", I have learned. I've got some personal goals for the race, and I'll follow up this story with a report on my results and the complete triathlon experience. As a 48 year-old newbie, I keep telling myself that I'm not going to become a "tri-geek", and that the Los Angeles event will be my only multi-sport race each year. But I saw that there are some shorter distance triathlons coming up in Long Beach and Catalina Island in the fall I could do, too... piece of cake!

To read about last year's race (as a relay team), CLICK HERE

2003 City of Los Angeles Triathlon course map

For more information on the City of Los Angeles Triathlon, to see all the Professional and amatuer results and race times, or to learn how Team iFlyLAX.com fared in the 2002 relay-team event, visit www.latriathlon.com, click on the 2002 results page link.