Triathletes Need Community Too

Athlete Acknowledgement of Risk, Release of Liability and Agreement:

I understand that this Acknowledgement of Risk, Release of Liability and Agreement is applicable to Bolton Endurance Sports Training, its coaches, associate coaches, employees, managers, members, affiliates, agents consultants and trainers (hereinafter the â€œReleased Partiesâ€), and I voluntarily enter this agreement. I am applying to participate in the Bolton Endurance Sports Training athletic training program and related activities (collectively referred to as â€œTrainingâ€) being fully aware that the Training involves risks. I accept all the risks of participating in the Training, even if they are created by the carelessness or negligence of a Released Party or anyone else. Risks of the Training include, without limitation, risks of bicycling, indoors or on roads and highways open to traffic, running, on roads, trails or treadmills, swimming in pools or in open water, lakes, oceans or other bodies of water, triathlon, duathlon, physical exertion, training and competing in large groups of people which may create the risk of falls, contact or other trauma, and other risks associated with intense physical activities. I understand these risks exist, that they are beyond the control of Bolton Endurance Sports Training and its employees, affiliates and/or coaches, and I voluntarily accept and assume these risks as part of the Training I will undertake. Additional risks are described on the accompanying List of Possible Hazards. I know there are other risks too that are not listed and I voluntarily accept them too. I fully release, discharge and waive any Claims I may have, now or in the future, against the Released Parties, even if such Claims are based on the carelessness or negligence of a Released Party or anyone ("Claims" as used in this document means any and all liabilities, claims, demands, legal actions, and rights of action for damages, property damage, personal injury or death) which are related to or in any way connected with my participation in the Training which I or my heirs or personal representative could make.

I AGREE NOT TO SUE THE RELEASED PARTIES FOR CLAIMS, EVEN IF THE CLAIMS ARISE FROM THE CARELESSNESS OR NEGLIGENCE OF A RELEASED PARTY OR ANYONE ELSE. I AGREE TO INDEMNIFY (REIMBURSE FOR ANY LOSS) AND HOLD HARMELSS EACH RELEASED PARTY, FROM ANY LOSS OR LIABILITY (INCLUDING ANY REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES THEY MAY INCUR) DEFENDING ANY CLAIM MADE BY ME OR BY ANYONE MAKING A CLAIM ON MY BEHALF, EVEN IF THE CLAIM IS ALLEGED OR DID RESULT FROM THE CARELESSNESS OR NEGLIGENCE OF A RELEASED PARTY OR ANYONE ELSE I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING BELOW, I AM GIVING UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS AND RELEASING THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM LIABILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. I ACKNOLEDGE THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP THOSE RIGHTS, AND AM VOLUNTARILY UNDERTAKING THE INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS PARAGRAPH.

I am aware that there is no obligation for any person to provide me with medical care during the Training. If medical care is rendered to me, I consent to that care if I am unable to give my consent for any reason at the time that the care is rendered. I am aware that it is advisable to consult a physician prior to participating in the Training. If I have consulted a physician, I have taken the physician's advice. I grant my permission to Bolton Endurance Sports Training and to its transferees and licensees, to utilize any photographs, motion pictures, videotapes, recordings and any other references or records of the Training which may depict, record, or refer to me for any purpose, including commercial use, by Bolton Endurance Sports Training, its sponsors, associate coaches and their licensees.I understand that the Bolton Endurance Sports Training coaches, assistant coaches, members, trainers, agents and other affiliates are NOT physicians or health care professionals, and do not have medical training, and are NOT qualified to provide medical advice or consultation. I agree to consult my own physician in connection with any pain, ailment, injury, illness, reaction or other physical or medical condition that may be associated with the Training, and I specifically release and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability, costs, expenses or obligations in connection with any such physical injuries or issues.I agree to abide by the rules of Bolton Endurance Sports Training in any of its training camps. I acknowledge that, if I violate any of these rules, I may be removed from the training camp and the permission for me to participate in the Training camp may be withdrawn by representatives of Bolton Endurance Sports Training. Others may violate the rules of the camps, adding to the risks of participation. No warranties have been made to me about the Training.I intend that this document act as the broadest and most inclusive assumption of risk, waiver, release of liability, agreement not to sue and indemnity as is permitted by the laws of the State of New Mexico. If any portion of it is held to be invalid, I agree that the rest of it shall continue in full force and effect. The singular of nouns and pronouns in this document includes the plural and the plural includes the singular. I agree that this agreement was made in Santa Fe, NM and that the laws of the State of New Mexico shall govern its interpretation and enforcement.If the participant is under 18 years of age, the parent agrees to the following statements: As a parent or guardian of the participant, I authorize the child to participate. I also join in the statements and agreements made by the participant in this document. I agree that, in the event participant or anyone acting on his or her behalf should make any Claims, I will provide the indemnities described in paragraph 3. List of Possible Hazards The following is a partial list of hazards that are often associated with training for triathlon, duathlon, bike racing, running, swimming, cross country skiing, and other such endurance events: Falls resulting in broken bones, sprains, strains, contusions, and equipment damage. Collisions with other athletes or vehicles on the road or trail. Drowning during open water swimming.Saddle sores, crotch rash, neck and back pain, and hand numbness related to bicycle riding. Tendonitis and bursitis, muscle strains and/or tears, and trigger points. Upper respiratory infections associated with heavy training loads. Heart attack and other heart-related symptoms.Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipations (due to dehydration issues) Blood in urine or issues trying to urinate, high ketones or protein levels. Men: penile numbness, prostatitis, swollen testicles, and impotence from bicycling. Women: nipple pain from friction, vulvar swelling, groin and chest rashes, and yeast infections. Anemia, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and exposure to pollution, weight loss, immune system issues due to improper recovery and nutritional needs.Post goal race depression following your "A" race for the season. Reactions to chlorine, possible ear infections, excessive dry skin (worse in cold climates), change in hair color, and nasal infections.Heat stroke, sunburn, hypothermia, frost bite, or other conditions related to outdoor training or extreme weather conditions.

Triathletes Need Community Too
by
Coach Sarah Portella

It’s 5:59 a.m. and it’s dark and chilly. Several cars are parked in the parking lot with the engines still running, the inhabitants waiting until the very last seconds to leave the warmth their car heaters are providing. Their clocks flip to 6 a.m. and car doors start to open. Everyone takes in an initial cold blast of air and then the comments start flying around…why are we here?!

But then, as GPS watches find their signals, the group takes off on a run and the cold is kind of forgotten as chatter starts, muscles loosen, and the pace slowly picks up. Forgotten also is the question “why are we here?”.

As triathletes, it is easy to get sucked into a training cycle of isolation. We have specific races. We have different coaches. We have our own set of goals. So, we resign ourselves to thinking that we must train alone for our race, to appease our coaches, and to meet our goals.

I too have struggled with this over the years. I have gone through cycles where I almost always trained with a group, to the exact opposite. And I want to tell you why I believe finding a community to do some training with is so important.

When I began my solo training, I was in pursuit of qualifying for 70.3 World Championships. I had it in my head that I could not train with a group because I was not willing to compromise my exact training times. And there was absolutely no compromising of my structured workouts. It was my way or no way. That bled into every aspect of training, even if it was an easy run with no real structure to the workout. That lead to a very lonely year. I lost touch with what was going on in my local tri club. Friends stopped asking if I was coming to the Saturday long rides. I missed out on social activities because the training trumped it all. And in the end, while I did qualify for 70.3 Worlds, it left me feeling empty because I missed my group and the people that normally shared these types of experiences with me. And you know what happened? It was hard to re-engage with the club. There were new members, people I didn’t know, and different groups that had started to form. I felt like an outsider.

That whole experience reaffirmed the importance that triathletes need a community and need to make it a point to engage in that community. Yes, we all have different paces, coaches, goals, and races, but there are ways to meet your personal goals and structured workouts while still enjoying the benefits of training with a community of triathletes.

Why you should get involved in your local tri club/community group:

Training solo all the time can lead to a lack of motivation, and worse case, an apathy to the training which could make you quit the sport. To some extent we are all social creatures and need interaction with others. Finding other people to train with can inspire your own training.
It’s easy to hit the snooze button if aren’t meeting anyone for a swim, bike or run. Chances are you’ll think twice before sleeping in if you have a group of people standing in the chilly morning air waiting for you to arrive.
It’s okay to be a triathlete and be social! Friends can make the long training miles go by faster. And honestly, the bonds between training partners can get pretty tight. Some of my best friends are other triathletes because they understand my need to train too.
Encouragement/Satisfaction. Group environments can foster encouragement and success. Chances are everyone there is looking for something a little bit different. Whether it be a time goal or a distance goal, you have the opportunity to help them achieve those goals and share in their successes. And who knows, maybe you are the one that needs the encouragement. Get to know your group…you’ll find encouragement and success!

How You Can Get Involved and Balance Your Training:

Talk to your coach. Most coaches, myself included, want their athletes to be happy and enjoy the sport. Let your coach know if there are specific days that groups meet. Chances are your coach will be willing to incorporate that into your training program.
Choose your group workouts. Most group workouts are tailored for…the group! Meaning most workouts will be adaptable to your specific pace. Not really into compromising your hard workout days? Meet with your crew on aerobic run, or recovery bike days. Rejuvenate your body and spirit with some friendly banter and fun.
Join a Masters swim club. Yes, there isn’t a ton of talking at the pool. But, for those triathletes that didn’t grow up swimming…isn’t it better to “suffer” together?! And bonus, you will get faster.
Recruit partners*. If you know of some other athletes training for the same event as you, or are about the same pace as you, invite them to some of your tough sessions. Chances are you’ll be more motivated to hit each interval. *If you have a coach, I would first ask if it is okay to invite others to specific sessions. A lot of coaches create their own workouts tailored specifically for their athletes. Remember you are paying for those services and having others jump in may not be cool. Always check!

If you haven’t been involved in a club, get going! After a year of pandemic and being forced to train alone, many people are craving the interactions of other like-minded athletes! If you’re nervous about joining your local tri club, but want to give a club a chance, join the Bolton Endurance Virtual Triathlon Club and see what it’s like to be a part of a group that shares your same interests!