Local sports organization mentors women to give it a 'tri'
Suggest to any woman this time of year that she ought to take some time for herself, and you’re likely to be met with a laugh. A runaway, maniacal laugh void of sanity, but perhaps not of tears.
The season simply doesn’t allow for discretionary “me” time, as the festivities of the holidays keep the pedal down, particularly for those of the female persuasion. It’s not all that unlike the rest of the year, however. Women are characteristically prone to taking care of those around them before tending to themselves.
But there is a group that is looking to change all that, if only for a few months of the year. And the hope is that the mindset of that season seeps into the remainder of the female calendar.
The stated mission of Tri It For Life (TIFL) is to “inspire women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, and abilities to develop healthy lifestyles through multi-sport training, mentorship, and commitment.” An all-volunteer, non-profit organization, TIFL mentors first-time female triathletes as they prepare for, and complete, a women’s-only super-sprint triathlon.
TIFL began in Charlotte, NC, after Dr. Alyse Kelly-Jones convinced a group of friends to mentor 100 women as they prepared for a sprint triathlon in a neighboring city. After training together for 12 weeks and completing that first race, the group organized as a 501(c)3. Four years later, a Raleigh, NC, chapter was formed. And just last year, TIFL-Charleston celebrated its kick-off season as the first South Carolina chapter, and is now in the process of recruiting athletes for its upcoming season. Charleston athlete registration opened November 23 for a training period that begins this spring.
Since the organization’s inception in 2008, more than 1,400 female athletes supported by over 500 mentors have crossed a triathlon line. Many of those have stayed involved in the sport by mentoring new athletes, competing in more races, competing in longer races, or volunteering at events. TIFL was founded on the believe that, all too often, women find themselves putting others first – so it encourages these would-be athletes to put the focus back on themselves, beginning in the context of this training, relationship, and challenge.
TIFL takes this journey to fitness through a unique program involving athletes and mentors. Half of the mentors for any upcoming season are returning athletes from the prior year; the other half is comprised of returning mentors and women in the community who have previous triathlon experience.
The 12-week training program starts in March and culminates in a local women’s-only triathlon. In preparation for this event, the mentors coach and encourage new triathletes at numerous members-only swim clinics, bicycle rides, and runs. “Along with training the body to swim, bike, and run,” explains Sponsorship Committee Co-Chair and mentor Gloria Grimsley, “we develop friendships for life, a renewed sense of spirit, and empower our athletes to believe in themselves.”
TIFL has even designed its own training program. Each participant begins with personal assessment in all three sports: swim, bike, and run/walk. Athletes are then prescribed the level of training - beginner, intermediate or advanced - appropriate for their current abilities, and addition to weekly group conditioning opportunities. “All participants are encouraged to talk to their physician about commencing the training program, to follow the training program as closely as possible, and to listen to their body and progress at their own pace,” attests Angi Klick, one of the organizers of both the Charleston Tri It For Life chapter and She Tris triathlon.
Karin Peace is a relatively new Tri It For Life athlete, and completed her first triathlon during the organization’s inaugural year in Charleston in 2015. “I found out about Tri It For Life through friends,” states returning athlete Peace. “I really wanted to be healthy and to try something I had never done before, and this was a great opportunity.”
TIFL-Charleston athletes will be training for the She Tris Charleston Triathlon taking place on June 4, 2016. The event is exclusively for women and provides an environment filled with camaraderie and optimism. Tri It For Life is a beneficiary of the She Tris event, a sprint distance triathlon consisting of a 200-yard pool swim, nine mile bike ride, and two mile run. In order to run the volunteer-based organization and keep athlete membership costs low so that more women can participate, TIFL seeks monetary and in-kind gifts, as well as donation of ancillary services.
Charleston branch athletes have until January 19 to enroll or until TIFL reaches capacity. There is a cap of 70 athletes, as the group aims to maintain an approximate two to one athlete to mentor ratio. In recruiting the “team” for the 2016, Peace would like to send this message to potential participants: “TIFL is an amazing opportunity for women of different ages and athletic ability to be empowered. It is a place to meet and encourage other women and make lifelong friendships, all in a safe and friendly environment. This program is great for any and every woman!”
For more information about Tri It For Life, visit www.triitforlife.com. Athletes interested in mentoring can contact Kelly Greene at kmart1tm@gmail.com. Women interested in participating for the first time can email Karin Peace at Kemurray4@yahoo.com. And those seeking sponsorship opportunities can contact Gloria Grimsley gloriagrimsley@gmail.com.