Most students are still tucked into their warm bed while the BYU Triathlon Club is running, swimming or biking at 6 a.m. every day in preparation for its next triathlon.
For students who want to complete a triathlon but struggle to fit the rigorous training into their schedule, BYU Student Wellness has a solution: the Lazy Man Iron Man.
In traditional Ironman or triathlon competitions, participants have one day to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles. The Lazy Man Iron Man has the same requirements, but students and faculty have the whole month of March to complete the requirements.
Bree West, a senior exercise and wellness major, works in Student Wellness and is coordinating the event. As the event enters its third semester, West said students have enjoyed the flexibility of the Lazy Man.
“(Participants) can do it here on campus, they can do it at their own gym (or) if the weather’s good, they can do it outside,” West said. “People that I’ve talked to have said it’s just really fun because they do it with their friends.”
The BYU Triathlon Club is working with Student Wellness to spread the word about the Lazy Man. The Club meets six days a week to train for triathlons.
“We support everything triathlon,” Aaron Noltemeyer, captain of the BYU Triathlon Club, said. “Especially the Lazy Man Iron Man. It’s a good way for people to get in shape, if they’re looking to do that.”
Noltemeyer was involved in swimming and running in high school, and then he got involved in triathlons at BYU. Noltemeyer likes the challenge and sense of accomplishment that comes with the events.
“You kind of compete against yourself,” Noltemeyer said. “It’s you in the water; it’s you in the lake; it’s you on the bike; it’s you running.”
Brandon Clay, a pre-business sophomore, got involved with the Triathlon Club last semester. Clay said training for triathlons has pushed him to prioritize his schedule, which has had a positive impact on his life.
“You’ve just got to jump in and do it,” Clay said. “It means dedication. If you dedicate yourself to be able to make it, then you can do it. You can make it happen.”
The Lazy Man Iron Man is open from Mar. 1 to Mar. 31. To register, pay $5 at room 112 of the Richards Building by Feb. 28. BYU students, faculty and spouses are invited to participate. Participants who complete the event will receive a t-shirt after the event closes.
For more information about BYU Student Wellness events see the website at studentwellness.byu.edu.
