The first reason you should complete an endurance event is the physical benefits. The required training can have plenty of positive impacts on your body, toning and shaping your figure. In training for an endurance event you will likely burn fat than, which could will in turn lower your weight and shrink that belt size. I don’t know too many people who wouldn’t like that!

Reason number two for completing an endurance event is that it keeps you balanced. The training will give you lots of time to get out and clear your head. This is something that is very important. A lot of people these days live in a stress bubble created by work, school, etc. Getting out and doing your training is a great way to relieve some of this stress and make you a happier person in general. The fresh air is good for you!

The third reason you ought to complete an endurance event is the desire to accomplish a goal. Completing an endurance event gives you the satisfaction of knowing regardless of whether you finish first or last, you will have completed something that a lot of other folks in this world haven’t. It is something to be proud of. Often times you get a medal or t-shirt as something to commemorate your accomplishment, and we can all use some free clothes.

Reason number four is that you get to make new friends. In San Diego, and in several other cities throughout the nation, there are triathlon clubs, running groups, bicycle clubs, swim masters programs, and many more choices. By joining one of these groups, you are joining a community of people some of which have the exact same goal as you. It is a great way to get support, tips, etc. from people who are often more experienced.

Finally, the competition. Everyone has a competitive side that needs to get out. A lot of us used sports through high school and some, if good enough, got to pursue them further into college. After that a lot of us get lost in the world of work and family and have to resort to weekends on the couch cheering on our favorite teams to experience that competition we used to relish in. Well why not get out there and compete again. Sure most of us aren’t nearly the athletes we were “back in the day,” but neither is your neighbor. So why not meet them at the next local race and see which one of you has been able to keep some of that fitness hidden under that new, slightly larger frame.

So whatever your reason, whether it’s one of these or something all your own, get out there and swim, bike, run, hike, climb, or anything else you can think of that gets you outside and enjoying life.

Written by Jay Pedersen