2019 Life Time Tri Series Medal Sculpture

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Life Time is proud to unveil a new finisher medal concept across the 2019 triathlon season, recognizing both indoor and outdoor triathletes, as well as encouraging multi-event participation.

All Life Time Tri finishers can celebrate their accomplishments in unison. Not only will Life Time’s outdoor tri finishers continue to receive a commemorative, 3.5″ finisher medal, but all 2019 Life Time Indoor Tri participants will receive a 3.5″ finisher coin when they continue their journey at one of Life Time’s signature outdoor triathlons. The concept applies to both individuals and relay teams alike.

In a unique twist, both the finisher coin and medals can be assembled to create a unique, silver-plated, 9.4″ tall water bottle display sculpture. The concept recognizes and rewards multi-race participation, where those who finish multiple outdoor events have the ability to “build” taller sculptures. Each event’s finisher medal creates a new layer in forming a complete bottle.

Note: The 2019 Life Time Tri CapTex medal design will be unveiled separately.

How It Works
The finished sculpture consists of three types of components, illustrated below:

  1. Indoor Tri Base Coin (1): Those who completed a 2019 winter or spring Life Time Indoor Tri event can earn a 3.5″ finisher coin, which can be used as the base foundation for the bottle sculpture.
  2. Outdoor Tri Finisher Medals (9): Participants have the ability to collect up to nine individual race finisher medals across the 2019 outdoor season, each of which forms a separate layer of the bottle. The medal designs are .75″ thick, similar to a hockey puck shape. Special grooves will ensure the medals remain neatly layered when laid on their side and stacked.
  3. Multi-Race Bottle Topper (1): Finally, the sculpture’s top portion is earned when athletes compete in two or more outdoor Tri Series events across the 2019 season. Read the Special Implications section below for more details.

How to Obtain the Components
The full sculpture consists of a maximum 11 unique pieces, exclusively issued from two points:

  • Pre-Race Expos: Both the Indoor Tri Coins and Multi-Race Bottle Toppers will be distributed from a Life Time Tri promotional booth located at each outdoor triathlon’s scheduled Expo or Packet Pick-Up. Upon visiting the booth, qualifying individuals must:
    • Indoor Tri Base Coins: Present proof of completing at least one of the 2019 Life Time Indoor Tri completion. Qualifiers are limited to a maximum of one coin each.
    • Multi-Race Bottle Toppers: Present proof of registration for a second 2019 Life Time outdoor triathlon. Qualifiers are limited to one topper each.
  • Finish Lines: Individual race finisher medals will be presented to all participants immediately after crossing the Finish Line. A total of eight regular finish medals will be available through the 2019 season, with an additional (ninth) medal available exclusively to Life Time Tri Series Championship event finishers:
    1. South Beach Triathlon (4.14)
    2. Life Time Tri CapTex (5.27)
    3. Life Time Tri Minneapolis (7.13)
    4. New York City Triathlon (7.21)
    5. Chicago Triathlon SuperSprint (8.24)
    6. Chicago Triathlon (8.25)
    7. Life Time Tri Tempe (9.15)
    8. Escape to Miami Triathlon (9.22)
    9. Life Time Tri Series Championship (7.21)

Special Implications
The special nature of the new medal concept will impact some markets in unique ways:

  • South Florida Athletes: Those enrolled in the Miami Challenge will automatically qualify for the Bottle Topper piece, which will be available at the South Beach Triathlon Packet Pick-Up. Proof of the 2019 Escape to Miami Triathlon registration must be presented.
  • Chicagoland Athletes: Those competing in both the (Saturday) SuperSprint and (Sunday) Sprint/International events, as well as all Triple Challenge participants, will automatically qualify for the Bottle Topper piece.
  • Life Time Tri Series Championship Athletes: Championship event finishers will receive two separate medals (both the New York City Triathlon and Championship events).
  • Life Time Tri Series 7-Pack Purchasers: Those who enrolled in the inaugural Series 7-Pack program are in a great position to build those bottles!

Additional Details
Qualifying individuals do not need to pre-register or enroll in any type of formal program. Simply show-up on-site at each race venue to claim your bling.

Both Indoor Triathlons Base Coins and Multi-Race Bottle Toppers will be available at the Life Time Tri promotional booth. Quantities are limited to the first 1,000 and 500 individuals respectively.

Components must be picked-up exclusively in person at each event (they cannot be mailed) on an individual basis only. Just like the standard packet pick-up process, participants are not allowed to pick-up components for others. No exceptions will be made.

The medal distribution applies to individual and relay team participants at any distance, subject to each event’s registration capacities. Each relay team member must submit proof of participation in another event to claim their components.

As the 2019 tri season commences, we plan to keep tabs on those athletes with the tallest bottles to date, rewarding the ultimate winners with big swag, complimentary 2020 race entry and lots of bragging rights!  We want to know: #HowBigIsYourBottle?

Should you have other questions about the 2019 medal concept, please don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected].
Otherwise, get ready for a BIG season of bling!

These Three Women Define Strength

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To recognize International Women’s Day, IRONMAN did a virtual sit-down with three of triathlon’s most inspiring women. Read on to find out their views on life and triathlon.

 

 

 

 

by Jennifer Ward

Christina Hopper: Mother of three and the first female African-American fighter pilot to face combat in a major war.

Has triathlon altered or affected how you see yourself as a woman? If so, how?

It has altered how I see myself as a person. I was an athlete when I was young, but after completing college, I didn’t really compete in sports anymore. When I took up triathlon three years ago, I rediscovered a part of myself that I thought had died. It has given me a renewed sense of confidence and vigor. It has given me renewed energy and helped me to see that age is a state of mind.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced personally as a woman, an athlete, or both?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced as a triathlete is balancing life demands with all of the training and trying to reach my goals. In order to garner and maintain the support of my husband and family, I had to decide that my goal was not going to be “to be the best.” That goal would have required me to put my life on hold to train. Instead, I set the goal that I would “be the best that I could be within the time constraints of my life.” I set realistic goals within those constraints and feel good about what I was accomplishing both at home and in sport.

What are your tips for balancing training with a full life?

I think one of the most important things to remember is that triathlon is not your life, it’s just a part of your life. If you keep that in perspective, things fall into their proper place. You don’t need to fit someone else’s training plan into your life. Do what makes sense for your schedule. For me, that usually means getting up early and getting training in before my kids are up and before work.

What do you wish you’d known when you started triathlon? What’s your best tip for a first-time female triathlete?

I wish I would have known that it is better to go into a race slightly underprepared than it is to go in overtrained. There were so many times when I thought I just needed to get in a few extra miles or to go a little bit faster than planned and then I ended up injured. Now I live by the motto: “train smarter, not harder.” Being strategic in training and listening to your body when it tells you to back off or rest goes a long way toward longevity in the sport and success in reaching your goals.

As part at Women For Tri, we are doing a “Women for Tri Workout Wednesday” where we encourage women to celebrate the day by working out together, empowering each other, and sharing their photos. Is there anything you’d like to to say to all the women working out on that day?

I, too, have a group of friends I train with regularly. We call ourselves the Before Breakfast Club. Getting up early and training with them is therapy for me. I think it is wonderful to train with other women to share ideas, successes and failures, and encouragement. It is a natural forum to learn from each other and to celebrate the achievement of goals. Doing life together with others and building others up makes life worth living.

Shirin Gerami: The first woman to represent Iran in a triathlon.

Has triathlon altered or affected how you see yourself as a woman? If so, how?

It has definitely affected me as a human being. I feel it has given me a more positive outlook on life, and given me more confidence in working hard towards my goals.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced personally as a woman, an athlete, or both?

The constant labelling, stereotyping, and boxing into how/what/who I ought to be, and the challenge of concentrating on who I am and the person I want to grow into, rather than binding myself to what other people expect and assume me to be. That has actually been a huge challenge.

What are your tips for balancing training with a full life?

I wish I had the answer! I’m still trying to figure that out myself.

What do you wish you’d known when you started triathlon? What’s your best tip for a first-time female triathlete?

I have loved the journey exactly as it has been. The thrill and curiosity of the unknown, the surprises, the growth, the ups, downs and up-side downs. Passing on what Paula Newby Fraser has always told me: “don’t overthink it.”

Turia Pitt: Inspirational Australian woman who suffered burns to 65% of her body in 2011. She completed two IRONMAN events in 2016.

Has triathlon altered or affected how you see yourself as a woman? If so, how?

It’s given me a lot more confidence and a lot more belief in my abilities, especially since I set the goal of doing an IRONMAN when I was in a hospital bed. I think just having that goal is something massive to work toward. As I got closer and closer to it, it made me believe in myself a lot more. I think having that self belief and self confidence that’s crucial for anyone in all stages of their lives.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced personally as a woman, an athlete, or both?

As an athlete, it’s got to be my injuries. I’ve only got three fingers now which makes swimming more difficult, and it’s harder for me to use my bike like a normal person would. As a woman, we have a tendency to not back ourselves and not believe in ourselves and I think that’s a pretty big challenge. And also, because the sport of triathlon is fairly male dominated, even just finding training partners was really difficult for me. I guess I’m luckier than most because my partner was very fit so I’d do a lot of training with him. I still think if there were more women in the sport that would be really good for everyone.

What are your tips for balancing training with a full life?

I think my tip is that I had to learn to let myself off the hook. If I didn’t do very well in a training session or was really tired and didn’t go as hard as I would’ve liked or didn’t eat my recovery meals at the right time—I think you’ve just got to recognize that no one’s perfect and we’re all just doing the best we can. In the scheme of things if you miss a session or your day doesn’t go as planned it’s not the end of the world.

What do you wish you’d known when you started triathlon? What’s your best tip for a first-time female triathlete?

To not take it too seriously. It’s a sport that we all do because we love it, and I think you can forget about that and get really serious. That for me saps all the fun and enjoyment out of it.

As part at Women For Tri, we are doing a “Women for Tri Workout Wednesday” where we encourage women to celebrate the day by working out together, empowering each other, and sharing their photos. Is there anything you’d like to to say to all the women working out on that day?

I’d say dream big, believe in yourself, and know that if you put the work in, you’ll see results!

Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2017/03/international-womens-day-round-table.aspx#ixzz4akIexN29

Do the Drew: Why I’m Racing CapTex Tri

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I have always been a competitive person, so when my friend called me in February 2013 and asked if I wanted to do the CapTex Tri in Austin, I immediately said yes. While I’ve always considered myself to be “athletic,” triathlons were new territory for me.

Right away, I got on the computer and researched everything that I could — I wanted to know what I was signing up for. Since this would be my very first tri, I decided to register for the super sprint distance. The swim was my biggest concern, so the pool became my best friend. I spent numerous hours swimming, cycling and running for the next three months.

Once race day came, I was still so nervous despite my training, but I swam, cycled and ran my heart out. There is no greater feeling than crossing the finish line after you have bled, sweat and cried through training and racing. It’s indescribable, and I was so proud of myself. It was in that moment I became hooked.

That day, I decided I wanted to complete the sprint distance next year, and since then I have raced in the CapTex Tri every year. I have to give a major shout-out to my dad, who has helped me tremendously before and after each race. I have really enjoyed the bonding experience it has created for us, and his support means so much to me.

This year’s CapTex Tri was especially important to me, as it fell on my friend Drew Satterwhite’s birthday; he passed away last year on March 24, 2015.

Drew was unlike any other. We first met in elementary school, and although we went to different high schools, we reconnected in college while both attending school in Austin. He was fearless and loyal, and he had the biggest heart. Drew and I shared a love of sports and the great outdoors, and he was always one to encourage fellow athletes. He would be one of the first to encourage and congratulate me during my triathlon training and racing.

As much as I miss him, I have learned so much from him. He has inspired me to live fully, do things big and take risks. This is what drives me now, and continues to motivate me to take on new challenges in the world of triathlon and beyond. I hope to eventually complete the Olympic distance of the CapTex Tri, and I know Drew will be pushing me along the whole way.

In memory of Drew Satterwhite, do the Drew. Live fearlessly.

Caitlyn Mullikin is an Austin triathlete who raced the 2016 Life Time Tri CapTex in memory of her late friend, Drew Satterwhite. Caitlyn is also the winner of our Hard Rock Hotel giveaway promotion, and will be enjoying an all-inclusive trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico this year.