Yes, that’s a Chamber of Commerce slogan touting beautiful weather and also the reason millions of tourists visit Florida each year. But for thousands
of multisport athletes from all over the world, it means high- profile races such as Nautica South Beach Triathlon, St. Anthony’s Triathlon and Rev3 Florida Triathlon. Nautica South Beach Triathlon, one of the season’s first races, included a swim in the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a bike course through the streets of Miami Beach and a run along Miami Beach’s historic Art Deco District. More than 2,200 celebrities, age- groupers and elite athletes from 44 states and 17 countries took part in the two-day event this past spring.
On the last weekend of April, thousands of triathletes swarmed downtown St. Petersburg during St. Anthony’s Triathlon, the Florida Region’s 2012 Regional Championship. A swim in the only slightly warmer waters of Tampa Bay preceded a race along the
ROCKY
same route driven by Grand Prix racecar drivers just a month earlier. St. Anthony’s, one of triathlon’s oldest events, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2013.
The end of October brought Rev3 Florida Triathlon, a two-day event held over a 70.3-mile course, to the Sunshine State for the first time. Held in Venice, the “prehistoric shark tooth capital of the world,” Rev3 Florida involved approximately 500 age-groupers, nearly 50 elites, dozens of exhibitors and hundreds of volunteers. But just as the sun shines brightly almost every day, on nearly any given weekend, dozens of races take place in communities large and small around Florida. For thousands of competitors, young and old, novice and those more experienced, age-grouper and elite, Florida is not only synonymous with sunshine but also with multisport.
MOUNTAIN When you live in or around Boulder, Colo.,
it’s easy to assume that everyone here is an elite triathlete. Head out for some threshold work on a road ride and get passed like you’re standing still by a group of pros out for a cruise. Hit the track for some intervals and you’d better pay attention when a national champ behind you yells “track.”
There are other triathletes out here as well. Dave Sheanin, USAT Level I coach with D3 Multisport reports on his client Aileen
62 USA TRIATHLON WINTER 2013
Balasalle who just completed her first triathlon. Living in Boulder makes a lot of people want to try a tri. Aileen is surrounded by triathletes, including her husband James.
There was only one thing holding her back — she was terrified of the water. Aileen and Dave started working together in February to prepare her for the 750-meter open water swim in the August race she was targeting. Workouts started with bobs and floats. Over time, she was able to swim one lap without stopping, then two, then four. She eventually practiced in open water and with a wetsuit. On Aug. 12, Aileen became a triathlete. Her words to her coach sum it up nicely: “I did it! Thank you for giving me this wonderful gift, which has allowed me to achieve my goals. Now I’m addicted to the sport and can’t wait to start training for the next one.”