Mere Mortals
Welcome to the Mere Mortals Page!
Table of contents
Background
Have you ever thought about participating in a triathlon, or asked a friend if they were interested in it? There are basically two reactions you get when you bring this up:
- “Are you crazy?!?!? I can’t do one of those things! You have to be some kind of fitness guru to do one of those ‘ironman’ things!”
- “Cool! Tell me more!”
The people in the second group are the ones we get to train with at Mere Mortals each year, and it’s great to see them out there! However, we need to work to reach the ones in the first group too. The fact is, we haven’t done a good job of representing our sport to new triathletes.
There are a lot of people who form their opinions of what triathlon is, and what it takes to complete a triathlon from what they see on TV and hear in conversation about iron distance races. They’re intimidated by the long distances involved and the stories of how difficult the event is.
The fact is, the race we’re training for is within the reach of the vast majority of people! With a little preparation, some training, and the benefit of knowledge and experience passed on by experienced triathletes, even us “Mere Mortals” can experince the thrill and feeling of personal accomplishment of crossing a finish line in front of a cheering crowd that only a triathlon brings. That’s exactly how we got the name Mere Mortals!
So, whether you’re reading this page because you’re an aspiring triathlete, or gathering information for a friend who might be (or both!), we encourage you to spread the word! Mere Mortals can be triathletes! See you there starting June 12th, 2011!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who in the world are the Mere Mortals?
We are a training group that meets almost every Sunday at 6:30am from June through the end of September. We help new triathletes prepare for the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon or other Multisport Events.Helmets are required
What do you do for me?
We’ll help you learn the ropes of swimming, biking, running, and combining the three back-to-back! During our training, we’ll show you how to swim in open water, get you used to swimming in groups, and share tips and tricks so you don’t have to learn them the hard way. We teach you how to transition from swim to bike, called “T1,” safely and quickly. We’ll teach you about safe cycling and inform you of the rules of triathlon cycling. Learn and practice “T2,” the second transition from bike to run, and learn how to complete the 3.1-mile run course after an 18-mile bike and a 1/3-mile swim. We have you train alongside experienced triathletes, and you’ll see presentations from experts in many aspects of fitness and triathlon.
Who can participate?
All active members of Tri Gulf Coast are welcome! You must be 18 or older, or if you are under 18, you must be be accompanied by a legal guardian who stays for the whole training session. If you’ve never done a triathlon before, don’t worry! That’s just what mere Mortals is designed for! Just join Tri Gulf Coast and we’ll see you on the beach! To learn more about joining Tri Gulf Coast Please, click here
How much does it cost?
All participants must be members of the Tri Gulf Coast triathlon club. Once that’s taken care of, it’s free! To learn more about joining Tri Gulf Coast Please, click here
When and where we meet?
Starting in June. Sunday mornings at the Casino Beach stage on Pensacola Beach! Be sure to arrive early and get your gear ready, our speakers start on schedule at 6:35, and we start our workout immediately after the speaker of the day is finished. You may join in at any time during the training season, but you’ll get the most benefit if you’re there from the beginning.
What equipment will I need?
There are all kinds of goodies you can buy to help you in triathlon, but only a few you really need for your first race. If you’re looking for local stores who actively support our sport to supply you with the best gear, take a look at our sponsors on the right side of this page for the best of the best!
Here are the basics:
- Swim: Goggles, a bright swim cap
- Bike: A Bike and a cycling helmet. Helmets are required both during training and in the race. (Recumbent and three wheelers are not legal in triathlons.)
- Run: A good pair of running shoes. We run during the summer, so you’ll also want to carry fluids with you on the run.
What sort of physical condition do I need to be in?
As with any new physical activity, you should talk with your physician about your plans to do a triathlon and listen to his/her feedback. We’ll help you get ready for the race, but here are some good guidelines for what you should be ready for:
- Swimming: You need to be able to swim 200 yards without stopping. By the time we finish training, you’ll have been farther than 200 yards from shore, so being able to make it in would be a good thing! We’ll help you get used to open water swimming, but you might want to spend some time training in a pool prior to June.
- Biking: We’ll ride at least 20 to 60+minutes every time we bike. You’ll want to practice riding before June, and by spending time on your bike ahead of time, you’ll handle the bike safely and more confidently. This is important, because we train on the road with vehicles.
- Running: Speed doesn’t matter, and it’s perfectly legal to walk during the race. By being able to run or walk 2-miles without stopping by the time we start training, you’ll be better prepared to build up to 3.1 miles, even after swimming and biking first!
Want to know more?
for additional information, send an email to mortals@trigulfcoast.org.
