The Online Reflector

University of Indianapolis President, Robert Manuel and senior history major Nate Ridgway came up with the idea of creating a club for people who aspire to or currently participate in triathlons.

Ridgway currently serves as president of Tri-Club, with freshman communication major Chris Edge as vice-president.

Manuel, who is the club’s adviser, believes that the creation of the club had three purposes: one, being the promotion of a healthy lifestyle; two, making social connections; and three, getting people to compete in triathlons.

“The one thing that we’re hoping that this club will accomplish more than anything is for people to feel that we are a welcoming club that does things together as a team and anyone is welcome to join,” Ridgway said.

Ridgway and the people helping him develop the group have made customizable workouts. Each workout is based upon a RPE (rate of perceived exertion) system, which is a scale that allows individuals to determine the level of intensity.

To organize people and help them choose a specific workout plan, multiple groups were created.

“We have three different groups: a get in shape group, a medium distance group and an ultra distance group,” Ridgway said. “We are all doing the same thing at the same time; the only difference is the distances.”

Ridgway, Edge and others created mentoring time for those individuals seeking help in specific areas.

“We have phone numbers that anyone can call at any time. And if they want to learn a new sport or try to do a triathlon for the first time, then they can call up that mentor,” Ridgway said.

Tri-Club has two months of practice built in for strength training and conditioning. The club will then encourage its members to participate in a sprint triathlon, consisting of a 500-meter swim, a 10-mile bike, and a 5K run.

The competitive season starts in May and lasts until early October.

“What people are going to be most scared of is thinking that they won’t be able to do it, but the thing is, they can. And after a few months of training, it will be a breeze,” Ridgway said.

There also has been talk of setting up a competitive club team, according to Ridgway.

“We are setting up a UIndy competitive club team with other schools in the Indiana area,” Ridgway said. “The team will be called the Crimson Rush.”

There is more information about Tri-Club, as well as the workout schedule, is available on Facebook, Twitter or via G-Mail at UIndy Tri-Club.

“I dare you to see how strong you are,” Ridgway said. “You will really see what you are made of in something like this.”