Wellness Centers triathlon seeks ‘lazy’ competitors
A triathlon may be unrealistic for students to compete in after a long winter, but the NDSU Wellness Center is hosting a Lazyman’s Triathlon to give students a chance to set more realistic goals.
“The triathlon is equal in distance to the Ironman Triathlon but instead of completing the events in one day, they get six weeks,” said Tara Robertz, exercise and wellness specialist.
The Lazyman’s Triathlon started Monday, March 26 and ends May 4.
“I recommend this for anybody who wants to start getting in shape before the spring gets going,” said John Honnel, a sophomore majoring in human performance and fitness.
The events include swimming 2.5 miles, biking 112 miles and run/walk 26.2 miles.
“My favorite part about the triathlon was the swimming. When I started, I wasn’t ready to get in the pool but it really motivated me to get to the point I wanted to be,” Honnel said.
Participants keep track of miles on tally cards and are supposed to complete one event before moving onto the next.
“The longer people wait to sign up, the quicker they have to get their miles in,” Robertz said. “There are prizes for the first people who complete the events in each category.”
The categories include individual men and women and groups.
Prizes will include a 60-minute massage from wellness center massage therapist Teresa Altenbernd.
All participants also receive free t-shirts.The contest costs $10 per person.
“We have eight individuals and two groups so far,” said Emily Wangstad, a junior majoring in landscape architecture.
Last year there were 45 participants by the end of the triathlon.
“Some students use the wellness center to get their miles done but as the weather gets nicer a lot of them take advantage of the outdoors,” Robertz said.
Students can sign up at the wellness center control desk. For more information visit wellness.ndsu.nodak.edu/fitness/.