JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A fitness event that required participants to run, bike and
row a total of 50 miles over a five-day period challenged Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph Rambler Fitness Center patrons last week.
The fitness center’s Indoor Triathlon, which was open to
patrons Sept. 14-18, consisted of running/walking 15 miles on a treadmill or
the indoor track, biking 30 miles on a stationary bike and rowing 5 miles on a
stationary row machine.
“Events like this give people an incentive to get started on
different things,” Marlin Richardson, Rambler Fitness Center fitness and sports
manager, said. “It breaks up the monotony of their everyday routines. It’s a
challenge to see what kind of shape they’re in.”
Participants came to the fitness center and received a card
they used to log the dates and mileage totals for each of the three challenges.
They did not have to complete the triathlon in one day, but could do so
gradually throughout the course of the five-day event. After completing each
challenge, they brought their cards to a fitness team member to initial the
item.
“They can complete the triathlon any way they want to,”
Richardson said. “Some people can do it in a day, but the average is three
days.”
Tommy Brown, Rambler Fitness Center recreation aide, said
events such as the triathlon provide motivation for patrons. Like Richardson,
he said the triathlon offers them a challenge.
“It breaks up their routine and keeps them interested,” he
said.
Brown said no one is timed, so participants aren’t competing
to win any awards. Those who finished the triathlon received a carrier bag.
“It’s more like a competition within yourself, but you’d be
surprised how competitive they can be.”
Not everyone finished the event, but Brown said they still
had the satisfaction of trying.
Latoya Marble, Air Force Personnel Center force support
career field administrator, said she participated in the triathlon because it
involved exercises that she does not perform on a daily basis.
“Cycling and rowing are important exercises, but they are
not my favorite,” she said. “My strategy was to complete my strongest exercise,
running, first and complete the rowing and cycling little by little.”
Marble, who exercises every day and has completed three
half-marathons and one marathon in her lifetime, said rowing was the most
challenging part of the triathlon.
“I had not done that in a few years,” she said.
Brown said rowing, which works the entire upper body, is
difficult for many participants.
“It shocks a lot of people,” he said. “It really throws
people off how hard it is,” he said.