Try Your Body

ORU’s 3rd annual Whole Person Indoor Triathlon will be held January 28-29, 2012.

Sometimes simply getting into shape for its own sake is not motivation enough for getting off the couch and getting active. There are times when some of us need some sort of goal or form of competition –even if that competition is with ourselves. If you count yourself among that number, you will want to check into ORU’s 3rd annual Whole Person Indoor Triathlon.

“This is an exciting competition because it is a one-day event, but people will often train for it for months,” says Matt Waters, director of the ORU Kenneth H. Cooper Aerobics Center. “It provides an opportunity to set goals and get back into ­competition.”

The event is scheduled for January 28 and 29 of 2012, with individual competition taking place on Saturday the 28th from 8 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., followed by team competitions on Sunday, January 29 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Individual competitors will participate in a 400-meter swim, eight-mile (stationary) bike ride, and then a two-mile indoor run. Prizes will go to the top overall male and female, best swim, best bike, and best run. Prizes will also be awarded to the top male and female in each age group: 8-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-45, 45-49, 50-55, 60-65, 65-69, and 70 and up. Food and drink will be ­provided during the individual competitions.

Sunday team competitions will consist of “heats,” which begin every 30 minutes from 2 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. Teams of three (one swimmer, one ­biker, one runner) will compete for prizes of first, second, and third place, with rankings posted for each team. Gatorade will be provided for the team ­competitions.

Matt welcomes all ­competitors of all levels, but has designed this triathlon to be an entry level sort of competition. The sprint triathlon distance, for example, is one of the shortest distances you can find in competitions of this type. “This was designed to encourage those who are looking for something to help them get back into shape,” Matt notes. “My favorite part of the event is seeing people who haven’t been exercising regularly get motivated to do something, and this helps them to start setting goals as they work to improve their times.” Matt points out that this is also a fun way for families to get into shape together, as in the past, many families have signed up for the team competition, some even requesting to be in the same heats together.  

You can register online at: www.signmeup.com/79259 or visit the ORU Aerobics Center front desk. Registration will run through January 23. Registration is extremely affordable in ­comparison to like events: $25 per individual and $30 per team. Matt encourages potential ­competitors to sign up as quickly as possible, since the maximum number of participants for the individual competition is 180 and the maximum number of teams is 48. He also welcomes spectators to come and watch their friends and loved ones work toward their goals.

“The first year we had 50 participants, and last year we had 156, including teams,” Matt says. “We expect this event will grow even more this year. We would also like to thank all our ­sponsors. Our event wouldn’t be possible without the help of many local sponsors.”

 

For more information, contact

ORU

Kenneth H. Cooper Aerobics Center

7777 S. Lewis Avenue

Tulsa, OK 74171

(918) 495-6640

www.signmeup.com/79259