Indoor tri a fun way to beat the winter blahs

Instead of letting the mid-winter, grey skies get them down, participants at the fourth annual TriMuskoka Indoor Triathlon Winter Classic got active.

The event, hosted by TriMuskoka and Fitt Gym, was held at the Canada Summit Centre on February 9.

Participants were challenged to set personal goals for themselves, or to engage in a little friendly competition with their co-workers, families and friends.

The event consisted of short intervals—just 15 minutes each of swimming, biking, and running—to mimic a longer triathlon. Participants could go at their own pace or push themselves to their limits. The indoor tri is also a mid-winter training opportunity before triathlon season begins.

Athletes were greeted at the check-in table by smiling volunteers Leigh Fettes and Avary Strickland. TriMuskoka director and social co-ordinator, Kaitlyn Habermehl, motivated the athletes as they geared up for the start of their wave.

The first group got underway at 8:10 a.m.with a warm-up swim, followed by their 15 minutes in the pool. Volunteers counted the number of laps each swimmer completed. Points were awarded for each completed lap.

Swimmers await the start of their wave at the 2020 TriMuskoka Indoor Triathlon Winter Classic (Cheyenne Wood)

Participants had 15 minutes to complete as many lengths of the Centennial Pool as they could (Cheyenne Wood)

These young volunteers helped to keep track of the swimmers' laps (Cheyenne Wood) — These young volunteers helped to keep track of the swimmers’ laps (Cheyenne Wood)

Once their time was up, participants had five minutes to change and prepare for the bike portion of the event. Fitt Gym provided the stationary spin bikes for the event. The ‘distance’ each participant biked in 15 minutes was added to their overall score.

There's a first time for everything! (From left) Steve Menard, Lochlann Menard, and Maureen O'Grady had fun at their first triathlon (Cheyenne Wood) — There’s a first time for everything! (From left) Steve Menard, Lochlann Menard, and Maureen O’Grady had fun at their first triathlon (Cheyenne Wood)

Luke Felhaber makes his best 'this is so much fun' face (Cheyenne Wood) — Luke Felhaber makes his best ‘this is so much fun’ face (Cheyenne Wood)

Fitt Gym supplied the stationary bikes for the event (Cheyenne Wood)

Long-time volunteers (from left) Joanne Osborne, Pam McDermott, and Kim Scott supported the who support the bikers as they spun away (Cheyenne Wood) — Long-time volunteers (from left) Joanne Osborne, Pam McDermott, and Kim Scott supported the bikers as they spun away (Cheyenne Wood)

Following their 15 minutes on the bikes, the athletes headed up stairs to the CSC’s indoor track, receiving points for every lap completed.

Volunteer Lauchlyn Trenholm, 11 (holding the door), directs participants to the track for the final leg of the indoor tri (Cheyenne Wood)

Runners circled the Canada Summit Centre track, completing as many laps as they could in 15 minutes (Cheyenne Wood)

These snowflakes were befitting awards for a winter event (Cheyenne Wood)

Massage therapist Mark Lewis knows how it feels to compete - he's been to the Canadian Olympic trials for swimming - and what makes tired muscles happy (Cheyenne Wood) — Massage therapist Mark Lewis knows how it feels to compete – he’s been to the Canadian Olympic trials for swimming – and what makes tired muscles happy (Cheyenne Wood)

A variety of healthy snacks awaited participants following the event (Cheyenne Wood)

The event included both youth and adult participants. Some came as individuals, others as families or part of a team.

Eight-year-old Lochlann Menard was there to cheer on every stroke, spin, and stride her mom and dad made. “I loved watching my parents, especially daddy swimming because he was using both arms to do backstroke,” she said.

Much fun was had by all.

TriMuskoka’s next event is the TriMuskokan, which has both try-a-tri and short course options, on June 28, 2020.