10 Reasons You Should Start Thinking About the Traverse City Triathlon Right Now

I usually do a pretty good job of planning my race calendar for the whole year while it’s still winter. I sit at the dining room table, drinking hot coffee under about fifty blankets, and I look outside longingly. I try to remember what the color green is, how sandals work, and what a warm breeze feels like. That’s when I pull up the old Google calendar and start mapping out which races I’m definitely doing (out of tradition, and because I heart them), and which ones I want to add in. For me, I know I’ll do the Gazelle Girl Half, Riverbank 25k, and Sleeping Bear Half Marathon because I haven’t missed one of those in a few years. But this year I ran the Glen Arbor Solstice, and (uh oh, now it will be official) am planning on doing the Traverse City Triathlon presented by McLain Cycle and Fitness.

I’m new to the triathlon world, aaaaaand I might not be the world’s next Julie Dibens, but if history has proven anything, it’s that I’m really good at signing up for races that I have no idea if I can even finish, and actually finishing them! And having fun! When your goal is good old-fashioned fun and a reason to exercise, there’s not a lot of pressure. If I like anything, it’s not being under pressure.

With that in mind, I’m thinking about a lot of things for the Traverse City Triathlon, and you should, too! Here’s my very specific list of ten reasons to start thinking about adding the Traverse City Triathlon to your calendar. Of course, if you’re way more legit than I am, some of these may not apply, but you’ll have to keep reading to find out which ones.

1. You need to find out what kind of clothes to buy, train in, and have for race day. Pretty sure that Target swimsuit, a race tee, and the Chuck Taylors won’t cut it.
2. You actually really need to find out what those weird bike pants feel like with the padded business section. Maybe you’ll like them. Maybe they’ll become part of your regular wardrobe.
3. You’ll have to find time to make your amazing swimmer cousin teach you how to do something other than doggy paddle.
4. There will be some Googling and a fair amount of YouTube video-watching for ‘how to put on a swim cap.’
5. If you register now, you’ll spend the rest of the summer training, and plan a fun weekend for the race.
6. The ol’ Schwinn might not be built for a triathlon, so you’ll have to rent a bike or borrow one. Fancy places with bikes rent them to saps like me, right? I’ll figure it out. I’ve got all summer!
7. You’ll have to figure out how those bike pedal clippy things work and if you need them and it will be scary if you do because, let’s face it, you’ve never been too coordinated. That’s why you just run!
8. You’ll need some time to think of triathlon puns and hashtags. #goingswimmingly
9. Registering early will save dollars. Dollars are good. Dollars are your friends.
10. Swimsuit season.