So, you want to be a triathlete? High Knees for novice, pro alike shows how

ST. GEORGE – Twenty-five hundred people signed up to compete in Ironman 70.3 on Saturday.  It was a sight for many to enjoy and an inspiration for others to aspire toward. While the next Ironman 70.3 St. George is now a year away, Southern Utah offers any number of other opportunities throughout the year from all manner of road and mountain biking events to triathlons. There is no time like the present to gear up, suit up, tune up and join in.

A photo on the wall at High Knees Cycling signed by a happy customer, St. George, Utah, April 28, 2014 | Photo by Rhonda Tommer, St. George News
A photo on the wall at High Knees Cycling signed by a happy customer, St. George, Utah, April 28, 2014 | Photo by Rhonda Tommer, St. George News

William Shake, of High Knees Cycling, said he enjoys encouraging cyclists and triathletes in their training, and he especially enjoys working with the beginning biker to get them involved in the sport.

For the triathlete, High Knees Cycling is a triathlon-specific shop with skilled mechanics on hand to repair all kinds of bikes. It is stocked year-round for triathlon training and cycling events. It offers parts and products for bike and athlete alike.

“Our nutrition line, and even our bike line, are products that we race and use ourselves,” Shake said. “We use them and we believe in them. We do not stock a product just because we know it sells. We are consumers of our products, too.”

Readying for a triathlon

High Knees Cycling brings athletes of all levels together, St. George, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of High Knees Cycling, St. George News
High Knees Cycling brings athletes of all levels together, St. George, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of High Knees Cycling, St. George News

Whatever the event, being prepared takes a lot of training.

Shake recommends triathletes join an adult master swimming program such as one like High Knees mechanic, Matt Magen, teaches on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6. a.m. at the Washington Recreation Center.

The Southern Utah Tri Club is another group worth joining, offering a good atmosphere for members to swim, bike and run together. They meet every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane.

Tiffany Gust training | Photo courtesy of St. George Health and Wellness, St. George News
Tiffany Gust training | Photo courtesy of St. George Health and Wellness, St. George News

“Tiffany Gust is our in-house coach here at High Knees Cycling. She coaches all of us here,” Shake said. Gust is a triathlon coach certified through the USA Triathlon Certification Program. Gust also works at High Knees and is available to help people get into good nutritional shape for a triathlon.

Training for a triathlon may look daunting – rather than learning one sport, you are learning three. But by taking it in bite-sized pieces and rotating your training schedule, Shake said, it is doable.

One way to start competing in a triathlon is to begin with a sprint-distance competition. Some triathletes stop there and don’t move up to the longer races. That entry-level distance is obtainable for almost anyone, Shake said, regardless of what kind of gear they have or what kind of bike they ride.

High Knees Cycling group rides, St. George, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of High Knees Cycling, St. George News
High Knees Cycling group rides, St. George, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of High Knees Cycling, St. George News

Triathlon competitors motivate one another.  They are competing against themselves, not each other, Shake said. The employees at High Knees Cycling compete themselves, and enjoy seeing their customers, beginning, novice and professional alike all out there on the track with them.

“Triathlon is the only event that I know of that you can be on the same track as the pros and they are motivating other competitors to continue on,” he said. “It’s not an ego sport.”

Brent Barney has competed in 15-20 triathlons and he’s run 40 marathons, 20 of those marathons in St. George. Barney took up the triathlon because he loves running, but needed a sport that was easier on his knees.

Barney appreciates having a bike shop like High Knees Cycling in St. George, he said, because the staff are not only knowledgeable and helpful, but they train, ride and race right along with their customers.

High Knees Cycling for novice to pro, recreation and competition and unified culture, St. George, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of High Knees Cycling, St. George News
High Knees Cycling for novice to pro, recreation and competition and unified culture, St. George, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of High Knees Cycling, St. George News

“It’s so important that we have people like Will (Shake) to support the triathletes,” Barney said. “The triathlon community wouldn’t be the same without the support of Will helping us along the way.”

The staff at High Knees Cycling is ready to help you get ready for the next Ironman 70.3.

A D V E R T O R I A L

Resources

  • High Knees Cycling | 2051 E. Red hills Pkwy., Unit 1 | Telephone 435-216-7080
  • Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Website | Facebook

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

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