IWAKUNI, Japan - Station residents have the opportunity to prepare for the Goodwill triathlon with the aquatics department "I Tri'd Japan" program.
“I Tri'd Japan is a program where participants bike, swim and run the total distance from Kagoshima to Sapporo, which is 1,454 miles, or 2,340 kilometers,” said Stephanie Brown, Aquatics Manager for Marine Corps Community Services.
I Tri'd Japan started Jan. 1, 2013, and lasts until September 3, 2013, when The IronWorks Gym hosts the annual Goodwill Triathlon.
“Anyone who has access to the gym is welcome to come and compete,” said Brown. Participants must do at least one event a week during the eight-month challenge.
“Participants need to do 30 miles per week to stay on track and complete the event in time,” said Brown. If you want to be one of the first 100 done and receive a T-shirt, you might want to do a little bit more.”
Participants track their own progress and use the integrity system. The front desk, pool and aquatics center provides booklets to track weekly progress. WaterWorks will also provide booklets when it re-opens in the spring. Participants may track their distance in kilometers or miles, but must keep the same measuring method throughout the entire event.
There are no restrictions as far as how to bike, swim or run. Competitors are welcome to do as they please.
“Some people can't run so they can walk. Other people struggle with swimming so they can get in with a kick board or use fins,” said Brown. “The idea is for people to just be more active.” Program organizers encourage participants to break away from their comfort zone and what they excel at.
“For me, swimming is my job so it's something I do well, but biking will be difficult,” said Brown.
Competitors are encouraged to stick out the eight month challenge and complete the 1,454 mile journey while improving their physical fitness at the same time.
“The idea was that with the New Year a lot of people would try to get in shape and this program is one way to do that,” said Brown.
Anyone interested can pick up a booklet at The IronWorks gym and start the challenge.