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   WHY TRI ?  by Dan Fontanini

     Why do we run? I suppose there are as many answers to that question as there are runners. I know that on a fall day in 1989 I walked out my front door wearing a pair of running shoes. I needed to lose some weight and stress and get in shape. I lived one block from Bush Park for 10 years and I had never run there. Another thing happened about that time. I could finally afford a new bike. Remember we're talking about running here, right? I'd always liked cycling but rode in the 1 ton Schwinn class. You know the bike I'm talking about. And as it happened, bicycles changed radically about that time. Relatively inexpensive bikes morphed into lightweight, smooth handling machines that shifted like sports cars. I was hooked! The next piece of the puzzle fell into place in the late spring of 1990. The Ad read: " Coors Light Biathlon Series, Portland, OR, September 16, 1990, 7:30am, Waterfront Park, 5k run, 30k bike, 5k run. By that time I considered myself a cyclist who happened to run. "Well," I said to myself, "I can run and I can bike. I'll be there!"

     Somehow I found out about a local biathlon series managed out of Beaverton called Multi-Sport Events. The "Firecracker" would be held July 7, 1990, 5k run, 30k bike, 5k run. Hmm... Maybe I ought to try one of these little local events before the BIG race. A good training event and I would be able to figure out the strategy of the race. July 7, 1990 changed my life. It was a perfect day. I'11 never forget the images and feelings: multi-colored hot air balloons rising everywhere in azure skies, the bustle of the pre-event preparations (hey, man, where do I put my bike?), people writing numbers on your arms and legs, too many BMW's in the parking lot, strange looking bikes, Olympic athletes (who are these guys?), surprised by not being able to run after cycling for 30k (falling down seemed more appropriate), and WOW, I finished this thing! And one of the most surprising things I learned in this first race: several women athletes absolutely destroyed 95% of the men participants, including me. And this was, as they say, a "way tough" race. I'11 never forget one of the world's best biathletes, Liz Downing, cheering for us mid-packers as we left the transition area for the second 5k run. She had just finished 5th overall. Not bad for a "little local event." I finished totally exhausted, but exuberant and determined to figure this thing out. One thing was easy to figure out. This was fun, really fun!

     Well, you guessed it. Multi-sport was and is one of , the big reasons why I run. After this first event I knew I really needed to increase my strength and endurance. I felt that the best and fastest way to accomplish this would be to train like a runner. Running kind of seeps into you though. Before I knew it I found myself wondering, "how fast can I run?" I spent the next several years trying to answer this question. And in the process, I met many people who shared their running knowledge, experiences and desires. Running stuck. It's my number one avocation. But throughout this period I continued to participate in biathlons and more recently triathlon too. And for me (and I'm suggesting that for you too) that is a good thing.

    I will not say that you can train hard in 2 or 3 sports and still be the best possible runner. I am saying you can take one day a week to cycle or swim. Treat it as a rest day. No pressure, no intensity. Go splash in the pool. See what happens. Approach it as learning new tricks. At least give it a shot. I think there is a reason you should do this. Someday you will really need to do something besides run-only. Either because of an injury, near injury or because you want a different set of challenges in new venues. Or maybe you simply want to extend your running career. And you will be ready. Multi-sport training really does decrease the risk of the typical running overuse injuries while strengthening other muscle groups. I look at multisport as a type of insurance. Fun insurance .

     Remember the question in the title of this article? Why Tri? My answer: because I want to run forever.

     So start the off-season by learning some new tricks. Set a goal of doing the REI Mazamas Biathlon in April (Vancouver Lake), or the Heart of the Valley Triathlon in May (Corvallis), or the Rose Festival Biathlon in early June (Tanasbourne). Please don't think of triathlon and the Ironman as synonymous. Nearly all of the local multi-sport events are within the endurance range of our club members. I was right when I turned to running as a way to increase strength and endurance. Multi-sport is a matter of learning a few more skills. Do not let the fear of the unknown stop you. Remember your first 5k, 10k or marathon? Remember thinking, "why am I out here, can I do this?" Remember how great you felt at the finish line? Do a triathlon and multiply that feeling by 3!