Ballwin Triathlon: Your Next Challenge?

Are you a runner? Do you check race calendars frequently for interesting or challenging races? Many of my weekends throughout the year include a Friday afternoon race packet pick-up followed by an early Saturday morning running in local 5K and 10K races.

Monday, July 11 happens to be the last day to register for the 13th Annual Ballwin Triathlon. As a runner-only myself, the Ballwin Triathlon for you, too, may hold little meaning. Before meeting Sally Edwards at a book signing this week, I felt the same indifference to the races that also include swimming and biking.

Edwards was introduced as of the "mothers" of the sport of triathlon and presented to runners and triathletes at Fleet Feet Sports in Chesterfield last week focusing on her goal for everyone: Be fit enough to be ready for anything you want to do at any time. 

Sharing lessons she has learned through her lifetime as an athlete, Edwards' inspiring personal history and intense optimism would have motivated even a non-runner. She has competed in and won some of the hardest, longest races in the country, is a member of the Triathlon Hall of Fame, and was a 1984 Olympic qualifier, though Edwards voluntarily finishes last at every Danskin Triathlon Series event. She described learning about "what goes on in the back" of those races as being incredibly hard. Knowing that fear of finishing last may keep some women from entering, Edwards takes her place as the final finisher and helps coach those struggling to finish.

Edwards also is the author of Be a Better Runner and several other endurance sport books. Additionally, she co-founded the first Fleet Feet Sports store in California when she was 28. She has since founded several other businesses and said she allows herself to follow the things she is passionate about. She encouraged everyone to find what they love and pursue those things, but also to branch out and do new things.

"When was the last time you did something for the first time?" she asked. Many in the audience nodded thoughtfully.

So if you are triathlon-ready at all times, you've got until Monday to sign up for the Ballwin Triathlon on July 17. If you aren't ready, like me, but want to explore the world of triathlon, read one of Edwards’ books like The Complete Book of Triathlons. Maybe we’ll bump into each other at the starting line soon.