How I got Started Doing Triathlons

Mike Collier

I was swimming laps one day at my health club when this guy in the next lane said,"Hey, you're pretty fast, you should think about doing triathlons." I had never seem this guy, Bob was his name, but he was friendly enough. I politely said I would think about it. I didn't really know much about tri's, we talked a minute more and I resumed swimming my laps (I was doing 16 x 100 yard sprints, at about a 1:15-1:20 pace.) I guess he planted the seed because I did spontaneously consider it from time to time. This lasted about a month, and then one day, at some idle moment, I made the decision, I would 'tri' it. Well, you should know the rest.

I started training on my mountain bike (2.25 inch tires, front and rear). I was already doing daily hard "racing type" workouts on some trails in woods near my house; I mean I would try to break my own record every day, rain or shine. So I started going on the street 12 - 15 miles, always standing up, doing about 3:45 minute miles as hard as I could. The first time I tried to run (my jogging had gone to pot) after a ride I experienced the proverbial "rubber leg syndrome." After some weeks I got to be able to ride 17-18 miles, and run 3-4 without much trouble. I was ready.

My first tri was at Louisiana State University, 5k run, 18 mile ride and a 500 yard swim in the pool. (Backward order to stagger pool use). I rode the mountain bike, stood most of the way, didn't do bad at all, and was hooked. About two hours after I got home I went to my storage shed and pulled out an old Motobecane roadbike I had gotten while in the Army in Europe. The last time I had rode this thing was about ten years ago, I had completely given up on it as having any practical use. I scraped off the old rotted tires, drove to the local bike store and bought replacements, 27 x 1 in front and 27 x 1 1/8 in back. I replaced one spoke and the thing worked good.

Well, I have done three triathlons now. After LSU I did the Louisiana Triathlon in New Roads, and Sportspectrum in Bossier City. I've added an aero bar, replaced the antiquated freewheel, added a computer, and bought clip on pedals and the shoes. I am scheduled for Elephant Walk TRI in Destin and two more this year in Louisiana. "Humping!"

My moment of glory, so far, was waiting to start the sportspectrum tri, waiting for my wave to go, treading water, up in direct middle front, not crowded, and next to me was, honest to goodness, Dave Scott. It was like me and Dave Scott in the pole positions, number one and two raring to go. (This was the 40-49 year old male wave). What a moment. It was cool. As the horn sounded he took off pretty fast but I remember thinking " This might work good, water drafting (not illegal) behind the greatest ever triathlete. That didn't last long, I think I lost him (he lost me really) after about ten yards.

Actually, the next time I thought about "Big Dave" was when I finished the bike leg, and I was trying to get on my running shoes. Over the P.A. system I heard the announcer congratulating "Dave Scott" as he was finishing the race. Nice race Dave.