{"id":19229,"date":"2013-03-20T09:12:34","date_gmt":"2013-03-20T14:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fitzness.com\/blog\/?p=19229"},"modified":"2014-10-29T11:18:49","modified_gmt":"2014-10-29T16:18:49","slug":"kristen-seymour-this-is-why-i-do-triathlons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitzness.com\/blog\/kristen-seymour-this-is-why-i-do-triathlons\/","title":{"rendered":"Kristen Seymour: This Is Why I Do Triathlons"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"kristen-bike-ameliaman\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Kristen Seymour, 33, Gainesville, FL, Writer, editor, social media strategist<\/b><\/p>\n

Why do you do triathlons?<\/b> I love how different workouts make me feel. Triathlons make me feel like a badass, even though I definitely have more enthusiasm than skill. Swimming makes me feel both powerful and graceful. Running makes me feel determined, because lord knows it doesn\u2019t come easy to me. Boot camp-type workouts and kickboxing fall into that category, also \u2013 I love knowing that I can push a little harder for a little longer, even when my muscles are telling me it\u2019s time to quit. I love yoga because it brings me a sense of peace I don\u2019t find otherwise. Lastly, I love dancing workouts because it\u2019s just plain fun<\/i>.<\/p>\n

\"wetsuit\"<\/a>How long have you been doing triathlons?<\/b> I\u2019ve always, always, always been active. I started dancing when I was in preschool, got into basketball early in elementary school, played volleyball in high school, and began running in college. Triathlons are the newest thing, which I picked up in 2007, but didn\u2019t really get serious about until 2011, when I trained for St. Anthony\u2019s Olympic Distance Race here in Florida.<\/p>\n

Do you compete?<\/b> Well, \u201ccompete\u201d might be a stretch, but yes, I do participate in many races. In fact, I have a triathlon in April that will be a big deal for me \u2013 the Leadman 125 in Tempe, which has a 2.5 km swim, 111.5 km bike, and 11 km run. In May, I will be running the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon. I\u2019m not really racing with a goal to place within my age group or anything (although I\u2019d love to be at that level someday). I just want to finish with a time that makes me proud (and makes the hours and hours and hours of training worthwhile).<\/p>\n

Most challenging aspect of triathlons:<\/b> Finding the time to train is very difficult. I don\u2019t enjoy getting up early, but sometimes it\u2019s the only way I can fit a workout into my schedule.<\/p>\n

Most fun aspect of triathlons:<\/b> Hmm, that\u2019s a hard choice. Crossing the finish line is always a pretty exhilarating experience, but that\u2019s not all. I love meeting with friends to train as well as being in the middle of a long run and knowing that I have the legs to carry me through to the end.<\/p>\n

Most rewarding aspect of Triathlons:<\/b> It is very rewarding to see my times and paces get faster.<\/p>\n

Who\/what inspires you when you\u2019re feeling weak?<\/b> I think of all the people who can\u2019t do what I\u2019m doing, and I think about how goddamn fortunate I am to have a body that will allow me to push it so hard. I\u2019m grateful to have the time to put into training and the \"Ameliaman-headshot\"<\/a>races, and that I have a community of incredible people around me that support my slightly insane passion.<\/p>\n

Advice for others who\u2019d like to get started:<\/b> Learn to listen to your body. It\u2019s unbelievably important to know the difference between, \u201cI don\u2019t feel<\/i> like working out today,\u201d and \u201cI really, really need a rest day,\u201d if you want to train hard while avoiding injury.<\/p>\n

Your must-have equipment for triathlons:<\/b> A watch. I live and die by my Garmin, but I\u2019m kind of a numbers geek when it comes to my training.<\/p>\n

Favorite training song:<\/b> Pump Up the Jam The Album<\/a>\"\" puts a spring in my step every time I hear it.<\/p>\n

Favorite healthy food: <\/b>Greek yogurt, especially since my current bout of TMJ keeps me from eating anything that requires actual chewing.<\/p>\n

Favorite not-so-healthy food:<\/b> Mexican food! The more cheese and refried beans the better. (Thankfully, I also love salsa, black beans and veggies, so it\u2019s not ALL bad.)<\/p>\n

Funniest \/weirdest\/most awkward experience doing Triathlons:<\/b> Hmm. I recently fell over in the middle of an intersection while riding my bike. I couldn\u2019t get my shoe unclipped, and then my chain fell off. I guess that classifies as awkward, right?<\/p>\n