The Canberra Triathlon for Fun is a staple on the calendar for those in the ACT and for Cass Sweetman it’s one she has been eyeing off for a while now.
“I had seen the Canberra Pink Triathlon around Stromlo last year and thought about doing it but chickened out,” she laughed.
“So this year I told people, I’m going to do it – I told people who do triathlon which was for accountability. And the overall consensus was you’ll have a lot more fun if you do a program first, so you know what to expect, you know what the rules are and understand transition,” she explained.
So that is exactly what she did in preparation for the Canberra Tri for Fun. Since joining the novice program as part of the Vikings Triathlon Club the training sessions have been incredibly helpful in preparing Cass for the upcoming triathlon which is less than three weeks away.
“I used to swim as a teenager, and I like doing the bike leg. But I can’t run. So a lot of this program is focused on learning how to run and different running techniques.”
“With the running, it’s about working on getting your feet doing what they’re supposed to be doing and not just wherever they’re doing naturally.
“And then on the bike it’s about the corners and slowing down without falling off and everything else because obviously riding in a big group is different to riding by yourself.”
Coming into the sport can be a bit daunting at first, with the combination of swim, bike and run plus entering into a new and unfamiliar environment – something that Cass is taking in her stride to make connections and ask questions.
“It’s nice to know that there’s other people who are also beginners and not confident, but having the experience around you as well to ask questions.”
“It honestly makes a lot of difference having people that are new to the sport, it’s that kind of level of camaraderie, knowing you’re all in it together and there’s no such thing as a dumb question.”
Although triathlon hadn’t always been on the cards for Cass, she has quickly fell in love with the sport and the positive impact it is having on her health and wellbeing.
“I think when you get to sort of that middle age thing, you just kind of stop looking for an aesthetic and more focus on what your body can do and one level to work towards just to keep your motivation up. And having a goal of I’m going to do a triathlon helps with the motivation.”
The best part about the Tri for Fun is the fact that there’s no pressure. The environment is built on fun, support, memory making moments and not finish times.
“My current motto for running is slowest doesn’t mean last place. You beat everyone who didn’t try.”
“If there’s no cut off time, then all I’ve got to do is finish. Even if I end up walking the end of it, I still want to finish.”
An excellent motto to live by.
If triathlon is something you’ve been thinking about now is the time to strike, you never know you too could be adding “triathlete to your CV”.
