A month or so ago, my coworker asked me how I felt about being the runner in a relay team for the NYC Triathlon. After a little research showed me what a ridiculously cool race this is (and that the run was only a 10K around Central Park, yes, please), I was stoked: of course I said yes!
Cut to a few weeks later when we realized that the entry was a fundraising spot that we’d all have to raise upwards of $1k for, each, in addition to the entry fees. That’s a lot of money, so we shelved the idea until the race lottery opened and we decided to enter as a relay team that way. “Who knows”, we reasoned. “If we get in, we get in, and if not, no sweat.” We’d find another event to enjoy together.
Fast Forward to this afternoon when I came face to face with the following email:
Few subject lines make me squeal as much as “You’re In!”
I immediately ran to find my coworker – the biker of the group – and we promptly high fived and jumped in the air, Anchorman-style.
(but with less mustaches)
I then texted my other co-worker (or rather, former co-worker, as she recently accepted an awesome new position!) and we freaked out for a bit via text. She’s the swimmer of our group, and the initial idea was hers in the first place.
Once I got through all of the details and filled out our form officially registering us, it finally sank in: I’m going to be doing the NYC Triathlon, and as a part of my first-ever relay team! How cool is that? I never pictured myself doing this event, but once the tri bug bit me, I knew I had to be a part of something larger like this. My confidence in my swimming skills, however, are somewhat lacking, and my biking… well, let’s just say I’m more Beach Cruiser than Iron Man. But with two unbelievable athletes like these folks by my side, with their own strengths in swimming and biking? Piece of cake!
The Reluctant Tri-ers (yes, that’s our team name) are headed to the Hudson River on July 24th, 2016!
How about you – have you done a relay race before? Or the NYC Tri? Any tips for a first time relay team member?
Jess Runs Happy 
I’ll be out there too! 2016 will be my third time doing the race and it’s absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to see you out there!
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Fantastic! Im excited just to see the scale this is on, the biggest tri’s I’ve done were a few hundred people – I’m sure I’m going to be blown away! 🙂
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Very exciting! I have done one sprint tri and found the swim part really difficult!
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me too! The swim is my weakest point, but I want to get better. I think I’ll aim for another sprint next summer to hone my skills, it’s a challenge that I don’t want to give up on just yet!
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I did the NYC triathlon in 2014 and it is amazing. Your swimmer will have the fastest swim of her life – the current does most of the work for you! Literally a 20 minute time distance between that swim and my other Olympic distance swims. Bike course was on West Side Highway, so be careful of potholes! Fast bike course though with the hills, just be mindful of the other bikers (thousands of people of varying bike handling skills lends a few curve balls). The run is the best part (lucky you) and it’s a smooth run through Central Park. Enjoy it!
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Ahh this is the kind of info I and my teammates need to hear! They’re both new to tri’s, and while I’ve done a few, they were on a much smaller scale. This event looks like it’ll blow everything else we’ve done away (in a good way, of course), but it helps to hear from someone who’s been there before! Thanks so much 🙂
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If you have any questions, let me know! It will be a wonderful experience for all of you 🙂
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Fantastic! Excuse me for asking, but do you need some charitable donations for this event? If so, I’m in!
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That’s awesome!! 😀
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thanks so much! I can’t wait – it’s going to be a whole new experience on a few levels!
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How exciting!
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