Put your best foot forward
Mark the date for these kids’ confidence-builders.MULTISPORTChattanooga Tri Club Indoor Triathlon SeriesFeb. 12, March 12ymcaindoortriathlon.itsyourrace.com/registerRUNNINGKids Trail TrotFeb. 5getguts.com/red-top-rumble.htmlIronkids ChattanoogaDate TBAtinyurl.com/ChattIronkidsCYCLINGHigh School XC Mountain Bike RaceMarch 22atrfuntrails.com/index.htmlSWIMMINGSnail Darter Youth DivisionOct. 11cowsswim.com/snail-darter-1-mile-sprint
While Chattanooga athletes are building strength, speed and stamina in anticipation of 2017’s awesome list of races, Katie Schumacher, director of the Chattanooga Girls for Tri, says local kids should start prepping for races of their own to build something even better: confidence.
A triathlete since 1986, she raised two young triathletes of her own and started Girls for Tri, a middle school triathlon club, to give its members self-assurance during an otherwise awkward stage of life.
“We didn’t do it to make them fast. We didn’t do it to create Olympians,” she says. “We did it because middle school, for girls, really sucks and we just wanted to provide them with something positive to get them outside and teach them new skills so they might have confidence in some other areas of their lives.”
But the races the club competes in aren’t just great for middle-schoolers. The beauty of kids’ triathlons, Schumacher explains, is that they’re short enough that anyone can complete one with little to no training.
“A lot of kids think they can’t do it, that it’s too much and it’s too hard, so there’s a serious sense of accomplishment when they actually do it,” says Schumacher. “Is it an Ironman? No, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
If your child is ready to take the first step to confidence, Schumacher offers these few tips to help keep them safe.
Running:
– Make sure your child has a good pair of shoes that fit. Worn-down or inappropriately sized shoes can lead to injury during the race.
Biking:
– Make sure your child has a bike that fits him or her. If the bike is too big, your child will be unable to fully control it on the course.
– For a small fee, you can get your child’s handlebars, seat, etc., properly adjusted at a local bike shop.
– If you’re worried about your child getting lost, get a course map and drive him or her through the planned route before the race.
Swimming:
– If you’re worried about your child swimming in open water, start him or her off with pool triathlons where there’s always a wall or lane line to grab on to.
– Kids can also learn to navigate open water safely by going out with groups like the Chattanooga Triathlon Club.
– To prevent underwater disorientation, invest in a good pair of goggles.
Learn more at teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon.