Jared Penner

My name is Jared, and I'm currently working as a Systems Analyst with Vancouver Coastal Health.

2010 has been my third year in triathlon. I think I love the sport most for the way it empowers people. My first race was with coworkers from the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Their HR department put together a "Try-a-Tri" clinic under Wolfgang Guembel, a professional triathlete and coach in Southern Ontario. There were forty of us, and we had a complete blast--saved me years of trial and error! I'll never forget the girl who had a complete panic attack the first two times she tried to swim in a lake with her goggles. Wolfgang swam the 250 metres with her in her "Try-a-Tri" race, ran out of the water, then ran back in and went on to win the Elite Olympic category. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place when she crossed the finish line.

I proudly completed the Muskoka Long Course that summer and still have the scars from going barefoot in my running shoes.

More recently, my race highlight this year was definitely the swim at the Vancouver Half-Iron... mountains on your right, kits on your left, the sunrise as you sight... plus I beat my overall race goal by 25 minutes. Can't hurt.

The biggest lessons triathlon has taught me are three:

1. Run your own race
2. Take care of your needs
3. Remain open through failure

It takes courage to really try at something, to step beyond your limits. Triathlon has given me more confidence to just go for it. I hope the UBC Tri club helps you surprise yourself this year.