Why I Tri? by Jeff Kehm

​Why I Tri: I needed to replace my first passion of climbing with another endeavor. It became hard to get my climbing buddies together, life just happens. I searched for another way to stay fit and challenge myself. Loving to swim and bike, triathlons made sense. I figured I could learn to love running – which is coming slowly. My last summit was Mount Shasta in 2015 and shortly after did my first Tri – The Lake Meridian Super Sprint. My last Tri was Ironman 2017 in CDA and I’m still blown away.
 
Triathlons allow me to share and use as life lessons for those who say “I can’t do it” – whatever “I can’t do it” means to them. I have told numerous people if you want, you most certainly can do most anything. I’m a 55 year old sign executive with a blown L5 disc, severe asthma, sleep apnea and a failing thyroid. As many of the RTB team might recall, I did the backstroke in that first Super Sprint. I felt silly but at least I finished. No Way, No Way, No Way could I do an Ironman. Two years later I did just that.
 
My advice is don’t set boundaries, at least not at the beginning. Let the process happen organically. Just start swimming, biking and running and most of all, have FUN. You will be on a faster track than you think as 10 laps turn quickly into 100. Journal everything – what you did that day, what you ate, the weather, event times both start and finish, EVERYTHING! It will be invaluable when you look back. Surround yourself with positive people and positive environments and watch yourself soar. Read good books, “Finding Ultra” by Rich Roll and “Racing Weight” by Matt Fitzgerald were instrumental for me.
 
Lastly I thank my wife, Gail who is the most encouraging person I know and mostly, my God in whom all things are possible.