Article 1- Pre Rev 3 Middlebury

This was my first published article which I wrote as a preview for the Rev 3 that was in Middlebury (my home town).

So, what’s a triathlon? A sport that combines three disciplines of swimming, biking and running has become a passion of mine since I began competing at the age of 15. Here in the greater Waterbury area, where my triathlon career commenced, I see it has become a passion of many others.

In returning back home to visit, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at just how many people I see out biking and running, the growth and excitement of the Waterbury YMCA triathlon club, and the several kids camps promoting health and wellness. It is evident that the sport of triathlon has changed our community and the lifestyle of many individuals. Triathlon is on the rise.

Whether an outlet to staying in shape, a platform for competitive racing, or a way of meeting new people and traveling, triathlon gives something back to everyone. Athletes from various backgrounds and avenues jump into triathlon to take on the challenge of mastering all three sports. Since I began competing, through many experiences and much guidance from coaches and peer athletes, I have been able to develop a regime and continued education of how to carefully balance the training for swimming, biking and running. Each year I have made the commitment to stay focused on my personal goals and enjoyed the many varied challenges. Like many, the sport of triathlon has airlifted me to a state of fulfillment and continues to be the air under my wings.

We will be welcoming some of the world’s most seasoned triathletes to the Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT as the venue for the Rev 3 triathlon festival this weekend. Saturday will provide an Olympic distance race- a .9 mile swim, 24.9 mile bike and 6.2 mile run for the athletes competing. Sunday will be what some believe is the ultimate test of endurance, even for the professional athletes such as Olympian Matt Reed and 2010 Ironman world champion Mirinda Carfrae. The half-ironman distance race will encompass a 1.2 mile swim in Lake Quassapaug, a challenging 56 mile roller coaster bike course and a 13.1 mile run to the finish.

Both events on Saturday and Sunday will allow hundreds of athletes to participate and experience a variety of accomplishments, ranging from finishing their first triathlon, winning their age group, or grabbing the tape for the prize purse. Whatever their goals are for this weekend, all athletes will have their own unique experiences, have some fun competing and for sure feel compete gratification in seeing their commitment to hard work come through in their performance. Then, the celebration of wellness that triathlon embodies can continue!