The Benefits of Joining a Triclub

The logos above are all the groups/teams I belong to that focus on Triathlon. Since this is the annual renewal time for groups, I thought it might be worth explaining why I join these groups and what I get in return. Aside from the benefits they all offer for the fees, there are many benefits that are not immediately obvious. But lets begin with the obvious ones. Triathlon experience, experiences, and information A triathlon club offers you the chance to talk to other triathletes through social events, training events and race team support as well as coaches that belong. I've found that no matter how experienced I am, and I have a lot of experience, I can always learn something new. Of course you can learn a lot by reading and watching videos, but for the local area or national support, you'll find that triathletes are a pretty supportive group. For novices, the sport can be quite daunting and if you are inexperienced, figuring out how to begin can be a puzzle. Your local team can answer questions from " Should I buy a bike?" (where the facetious answer is yes always N+1...as in, you never have too many bikes) to "What is a good race to do for your first time?" or for more experienced athletes, "what's the latest thinking on ironman training?" In other words, all your questions can be answered. I found this website with FAQs for beginners in case anyone who isn't in a group yet has questions. Triathlon Events and support Often triathlon groups provide supported bike rides, runs and swims. Louisville Landsharks has athlete insurance for all their sponsored activities so if something happens at an event, there is some financial support from USAT insurance. This feature means that Landshark events are well researched for safety and support. Landshark rides are published before hand and maps are downloadable for all riders, members or not. The biweekly swims at Deam Lake are only for members because there is insurance coverage only for members. Each swim has kayak support with radio connection and everyone wears a swim buoy. Landsharks also support the Louisville kids triathlon. Trilocos Louisville provides a Monday evening swim in the Ohio river. They also set up all group events for the Ironman Louisville race and also offer rides and runs and support the local kids triathlon. Both groups provide race support with tents, refreshments and team photos at local and selected travel races. I can tell you that having a local group support at races is a huge benefit. You can leave your gear at the tent instead of checking it and having to walk to the gear check site after the race. You can park your bike after the race once it's out of transition. You can sit and watch the finish line, the awards event and often have closer access to portapotties. Base Performance team is an ambassador group for the nutrition and gear brand that focuses on diversity and inclusion. I enjoy this team a lot. We get access to an annual training event that is a 3 day triathlon focused event with swims, bikes, runs and coaches to support us. I've done these events several times and not only are they affordable compared to many triathlon camps but the support from this group of diverse athletes is tremendous. I have triathlon base mates nationally and in a few cases internationally because of my membership in this team. I've been a member for 13 years. T2 is a charity training team for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. They provide training in Chicago that is the best in the city for newbies and experienced triathletes alike. I started my triathlon life with them in 2010. I got a lot of support. Each person raises money to support AFC in exchange for the training which begins in May and extends through December depending on what race you train for. I know many NYC and Boston qualifiers who train with this team as well as Berlin and Tokyo marathon runners. Diversity and inclusion are of course important in this group. Social Events. Goodies and Services All the groups have social events that can include some lessons for triathlon or just be a way for athletes to get together. Most of them will have some sort of SWAG that can be very helpful such as water bottles, nutrition, kits, etc. Often, a massage therapist will be available through the team support or can be available at a team discount. Physical Therapy is another service that can be available at events or with discounts. Team discounts at running stores, bike shops, Medical services providers, nutrition, and race sign ups can save you enough that membership costs are neutral or negative depending on how much you use them. Off Season Support This kind of self describes but I find that having others suffering through the cold winter months, doing indoor rides, treadmill and sometimes braving the cold together for runs can be very helpful for keeping me off the couch. Bottom Line While you CAN train and prepare alone for triathlon, I've found that the groups I'm in provide many things that make triathlon a more rounded experience. I look forward to seeing my many acquaintances at races that belong to these groups. I find them on courses all over the world wearing their kits in support of these groups. I highly recommend joining up with at least one group to expand your triathlon joys. Full disclosure: I'm treasurer at Louisville Landsharks and was a board member at AFC for 11 years and a coach for T2. I've completed over 100 triathlons, done 2 full IM, Over 20 half IM races (one world championshship 70.3) dozens of national championship races, 2 world championship Team USA races and I'm a coach and certified race official.