Triathloners train for Saturday's event at Scales Lake

Swimming, biking, running challenges athletes

BOONVILLE, Ind. - Christa Kramer has never participated in a triathlon, but that will change on Saturday when she takes part in the Dunigan YMCA's ninth annual Spirit, Mind, Body triathlon at Scales Lake park.

For someone who has never been in a race that tests competitors in three different disciplines, she had one odd fear going into her first race. Fish.

She said the one thing she was not looking forward to about the race was that it will take place in the open water of Scales Lake. But she's using that as a way to strengthen herself.

"Swimming in a lake" is the biggest challenge, she said. "I don't like to share water with other creatures and the fact that you can't touch and can't see is a phobia of mine. So this was all about stepping outside the box. This was something different to push myself out of my comfort zone."

Her husband Jay Kramer will also be embarking on his first triathlon Saturday. The couple has run marathons together, and they're excited about completing a new challenge together.

Jay Kramer said that he has enjoyed the training for the triathlon since it involves more than just running.

"It's going to be different, but it's fun," he said. "Training has changed the monotony of just running all the time."

Saturday's participants can choose from among three levels of competition:

n The sprint length, which most of those new to triathalons will take part in, consists of a half-mile swim, a 15-mile bike ride and a 5k-run.

n The Olympic length race is a one-mile swim, a 25-mile bike ride and a 10k-run.

n The third option is a duathlon, which doesn't require any swimming. Competitors run for 2k, bike 15 miles and then run 5k to finish it up.

People can sign up to do the race individually or as a team. A team consits of three people with a different person doing each leg of the race.

The Dunigan YMCA, in addition to hosting the triathlon, also provides a 12-week training program for those such as the Kramers who new to the sport as well as for others who just want to stay in shape.

Bob Fodstad is one of the trainers for the program and said that most of the people they get have a lot of history in running but have very little experience in road racing on a bike or open water swimming.

The program trains the participants on those two disciplines specifically since there is a lot of technical things those not familiar with the sport have to learn, especially when it comes to swimming, which is Fodstat's area of expertise.

"They have to learn things like how to sight when you're swimming to make sure you're going in a straight line," Fodstad said. "Other things like being able to breathe on both sides is important."

On their last training session Wednesday night, Fodstad had everyone get in the lake for one last swim but didn't want them to push it too hard only 2-1/2 days before the race.

He did take some time to discuss with them in detail about the various transitions throughout the race. He said that sometimes getting from the water to the bike and then off the bike to run can be difficult. Especially the first transition.

"They're coming out of the water and their feet are wet and sandy and they they've got to get on a bike which requires socks and shoes," he said. "It's not something that people are used to."

In addition to providing them with the training they need, Christa Kramer said that she has really enjoyed the camaraderie with the members of the group.

"It's much easier to stay motivated when you know other people are counting on you to show up," she said. "It helps you get off the couch."