To all "neewbies" and veterans and everyone in bet

[ncampbell]

First of all I want to say that I am writing this to everyone and not just the new athletes to the sport. I began my triathlon life 3 years ago. I was asked to compete in a team/relay tri in WV (4 days before the race). The conversation went kinda like this..."Hey Noah, can you swim?" Me: "Of course." My friend "Can you swim 800 meters?" Me: "Of course (knowing in the back of my mind I haven't swam over 20 yards in 10 years)." So race day came and I was the only one out there with board shorts and a mohawk (discussion for another time). So 19 and a 1/2 minutes later and many conversations about quitting and grabbing onto one of those boats I swore I hated this sport saying "Who would think of something this horrible". After I dryed off I was hooked.

I moved to Indy about 1 and 1/2 years ago. Knowing nobody and not having a clue what the heck I was getting myself into. I had some people tell me about the tuxbros website (in which I saw the same people winning races all the time) and the CCMS website and then training began.

The training was far from perfect and very inefficient. Swimming 25 yard repeats doesn't get you too far and then one fateful night I met Allison Ware and Andre Phillips at Lifetime swimming. Allison and Andre took me under their wings and started teaching me things all the time mostly without knowing it. I think the best thing that happened is when they told me to come with them one night to a CCMS club meeting. I met great people and learned a ton in the first meeting.

So the reason that this post is for everyone is that I want to thank everyone who has helped me (knowingly or unknowingly) improve in this sport. You veterans and seasoned triathletes help us newbies, so when you have a chance try to take one of us under your wing and answer all the dumb questions we have (most of mine fit in this category). I had a few good finishes last year before I had to have knee surgery in July, but with all of that behind me I hope to have even better results this year with the help of everyone in the club.

All newbies, I have been in your position - reading posts, reading magazines, googling everything, and trying to train on my own. Trust me that may get you by but getting into the club will help you improve and meet those goals that many of us Type A personalities have. I am beginning to sound like a used car salesman but trust me JOIN THE CLUB you won't regret it. Where else can you spend so little money and get so much back (especially in our sport)?

Noah "the retriever"

[ARW]

Isn't he sweet? As someone who's watched Noah over the past year - it's been pretty neat to watch. He's bounced back from a helluva knee thing and is back to challenging me in the pool. (Next stop: flipturns)

He makes good points though and I was in the same boat about 3 years ago. I was doing well, training on my own and traveling for most of my races. I started coming to club meetings, started meeting people and it's opened all sorts of doors.

I haven't seen leaps and bounds of improvements like Noah has (just wait 'til this year's first race...he'll swim your socks off!) over the past couple of years, but I have met some great people who have taught/are teaching me great things (like how to run).

We can be a fairly intimidating group at functions or when you're new - most of us know each other and have inside jokes. Don't be afraid, jump in and start talking crap, we'll be picking on you too before you know it!

Even better: join the club AND go to the group workouts. (stay tuned for updates on those regularly - make sure your email address is correct)