Understanding how to balance life with triathlon training, family and job responsibilities is the key to being successful in your triathlon journey.

This profile showcases a beginner triathlete BEFORE and AFTER his first triathlon.

Meet Carey:

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BEFORE

1. How long have you been doing triathlons?
   I competed in my first sprint triathlon on May 7.
2. How do you balance workouts with family/job responsibilities?
   I am a firefighter so I have a different work schedule than most people. I would train on the bike and in the pool while my wife was at work. After my wife got home from work I would do my run with her, that way I could train while spending time with her.
3. What inspired you to try a triathlon?
   I have run road races from 5k to marathon level. I thought a tri would be a good way to test my all around fitness.
4. What is the best advice you can give a newbie?
   Start out with a sprint tri (like I did), that way you can determine if you even like the triathlon. If you don't then you didn't spend too much time away from family training.
5. What is your favorite workout?
   I enjoy the running.
6. Where and when is your first triathlon? What is the distance?
   The sprint triathlon was in Mauriceville, Texas on May 7.

AFTER

1. How does your pre-triathlon vision compare with what the actual event?
   I did enough individual training but I should have done a swim then bike, and then on other days do the bike and run. Not just individual events on certain days.
2. What was your favorite part of your first triathlon?
   I enjoyed all of it.
3. What was the most challenging part of your first triathlon?
   The run was the toughest because my legs were tired from the biking.
4. What advice would you give a newbie now that you’ve completed your first triathlon? Start out with a sprint tri (like I did), that way you can determine if you even like the triathlon. If you don't then you didn't spend too much time away from family training. Most of all, HAVE FUN.
5. What’s next for you?
   I will definately do more sprint triathlons before deciding if I am going to move on to longer events. I will still be training for more marathons.

Interested in telling TriathaNewbie.com readers how YOU balance YOUR life with triathlons? Email us with the subject line "Triathlete Profile" and let us know! We would love to hear from newbies as well as seasoned veterans. Your words just might inspire someone to get off the couch and to the starting line!

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