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Do you start shaking your head at the mere mention of a triathlon? TriMuskoka’s Indoor Triathlon Classic on February 12 will get you from I can’t to I can to I did.
Event organizers recently changed the format for the new event so that just 45 minutes of activity – a 15-minute pool swim where breaks are allowed, 15 minutes on a spin bike at your pace, and 15 minutes of running or walking – will give you a taste of a triathlon without feeling like you need months to prepare.
It’s as much for an active person who might not think they’re in good enough shape as it is for an athlete who hits the gym daily, says Rich Trenholm of TriMuskoka. “The name of the game is fun more than anything else. It gives a test of what their fitness is like in a fun and supportive setting. You can make it as hard or as easy as you want and take breaks whenever you want to.”
Participants will begin in groups of 12 – two per lane in the pool – to ensure there’s no crowding. They’ll swim as many laps as they can manage in 15 minutes, and then have five minutes to change before heading to the pool’s viewing area for a 15-minute spin on stationary bikes provided by Motivations Fitness. Another five-minute transition period will get them up to the track in the Don Lough Arena where they’ll run or walk as many laps as they can in 15 minutes. The total distance each person travels will be logged by volunteers.
The fun event is intended to encourage physical literacy, particularly in youth. Registration for 13-18 year-olds is subsidized by funds from last year’s TriMuskokan.
“We have people from 13 all the way up to 80 registered,” says Trenholm. “Don’t think you’re too young or too old. It’s a fun way to spend a Sunday and be active at the same time.”
You can also invite friends or colleagues to challenge themselves and ask to be in the same wave as them. Make that request at registration and organizers will do their best to accommodate everyone.
At the end of the day, participants are invited to a family fun day – included in their registration fee – at Ontario Pioneer Camp in Port Sydney for winter activities like tubing, broomball, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, a home-cooked dinner, and an awards celebration. Family members who aren’t racing can join in the fun for just $10.
Registration for youth 13-18 is $15; adults pay $35. For more information and to secure your spot, visit trimuskoka.com/race/winter-indoor-tri. There are a limited number of entries available.
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