Motivated Warriors take on the Boston Triathlon

​     Right around this past Christmas a group of our bootcamp regulars were looking to set a goal to kick-start their new year fitness resolutions. Some members were looking to get in shape for their own upcoming weddings, or their friend's weddings, some were looking to accomplish a long-time weight loss goal, and some were merely looking to rejuvenate themselves towards a newer healthier lifestyle; we decided as a group to set up a training program for the Boston Triathlon that takes place every July in Southie. We figured in having a concrete fitness goal set, that we would be more likely to reach our own personal fitness goals and aspirations.

---

     We sent out an email to our whole gym/neighborhood-wide community and our response was GREAT! We had over 30 people who responded with aspirations of at the very least following along with our training program. In January we put into place a 30 week training program that started with basic workouts like stationary bike rides, one mile jogs (or even walks/elliptical sessions) and dips in a pool to become accustomed with swimming. The program started steady and early with the hopes to incorporate longer and more intense workouts as the race approached. Our short stationary bike rides turned to upwards of 40 mile outdoor rides; our jogs turned to long distance runs; our mere dips in the pool turned to long ocean swims. Next were Brick workouts (two or more events back to back, swimming-running, biking-running, swimming-biking, etc.) and then it all lead to our mock race day two weeks before the event. 
     Once the wheels were in motion, the camaraderie of a group-driven fitness goal took over. Knowing that you have a group of people who are going through the same process, and sometimes pain, that you are is not only comforting but it is also motivating. The biggest motivations for our group came in forms of either passing by someone in the gym who you know is training as well and sharing a simple word of encouragement, or even a quick "Holy Hell that 1/2 mile ocean swim sucked huh?" It's that camaraderie that drove so many of our group towards their goals and then some.

---

     In the end we have roughly 10 members competing in the Triathlon this weekend; following their fearless/fear-inspiring leader Tom Regan into the abyss this Sunday will be Erin Moeller, Melissa Nazar, Chet Lang, Bri Colantonio, Shannon Cochran, Tom Dearnley, Ali Hockler, Andrew Lane and Michael Kineavy. Among this group we have seen two weddings where the brides were beaming with confidence and pride from turning over a healthy new lifestyle leading up to their weddings; we've seen somebody reach their weight loss goal of 40 pounds; we've seen people turn from bashful boot campers to full blown athletes! To say this process was a success would be an understatement. The results of the race itself on Sunday are really moot, because what's really important are the results that our members have seen in their own lives. The weight loss, the strength gained, and the positive mentalities acquired are the real accomplishments of training for an event like this. The accomplishment of competing in and hopefully finishing the race itself is just the cherry on top! ​​