Why I Tri? by Frank Tomaszewski

Track athlete at Sandia High School

Why do I tri?

Because I made up my mind!

Back in the olden or should I say Golden days I was not very active. I was in the U.S. Navy working hard loading bombs onto planes to fly into Vietnam until the age of 28. Then while stationed in Hawaii, (1972 – 1982) one of my fellow sailors asked me to run 2 miles with him. It was really difficult, but it was the first time I made up my mind to move. Running again, brought back golden memories of my High School days as a track team member running the mile and two miles along with cross country.

It was not long after that I was running 10 miles a day just for fun. I also got to participate in 2 marathons, and several relays around Oahu. Also, while there I had the opportunity to volunteer at the very first Ironman competition held on Oahu. I was convinced they were all crazy.  In hindsight I should have reached for the opportunity to participate.

Then I got more involved in my career in the United States Navy. I achieved the rank of Master Chief. I continued to work out on board ships but then Navy retirement came along, and my second career with Federal Service.  Returning to Hawaii in 1991 I again participated in many running events and did my third marathon, also participated in 14 Great Aloha Runs. But then my running days took a back seat because of the stress on my knees from working out on steel deck Navy ships and with being a college and high school baseball umpire.  I PUT ON A LOT OF WEIGHT, I JUST PLAIN GOT LAZY! That is until a personal trainer caught up with me in Iwakuni, Japan and started me on a spin, walking, and weight program along with proper diet, I have to say Barbara Roman was the reason I go back in the flow of a healthy body.

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RSVP 2013

After my second retirement with Federal Service my wife, Kazuko and I moved to Lakeland Hills. There I had bi-lateral knee replacement but… then joined Tacoma Athletic Club where I once again attended spin classes. This is where I met Heidi Kriss when I attended one of her spin classes at 10 in the morning and somehow she got me to get up at 0-dark thirty in the morning for spin classes each week and as time went on I witnessed the crazy stuff Heidi Kriss and her buddies were up to as they were participating in triathlons.

It was inspiring to see them and their camaraderie. It looked like fun! I wanted to participate, but didn’t feel I could. But, the suggestion came up to ride the Seattle to Portland Bicycle classic. It sounded good to me since I could not run, but I could ride. So, bought a bike with a little help from my friends and I made up my mind to do STP and set out on a training plan. Listened to my coaches I succeeded! So, I signed up for more local rides. I also participated in two RSVP’s (Ride from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada and Party) one with my new riding buddy Jerry Carpenter. It was a total blast for me to accomplish that feat.

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Lake Meridian Sprint Relay

Then Heidi suggested I do a triathlon. I figured I could swim, and knew I could ride, but not run. She suggested I walk as several do. So, I made up my mind to do that, and I did at the Lake Meridian sprint triathlon in 2016.

I got through that and decided to bite off a bigger chunk and do a 70.3 relay with my cousin. Unfortunately, that did not turn out as planned.

I found out that life has many obstacles to overcome. There are disappointments. But, with hard work and a made-up mind, those obstacles can be dealt with.
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Will continue to train and enter local Sprint Triathlons maybe an Olympic Triathlon and I intend to take another shot and bite off my biggest project yet next year!

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Hilo Marathon 1978

Around the Island Relay Oahu 1979