right thing, wrong timing

Dear Challenger-Family,

Triathlon shapes, teaches and above it all: connects. It has the strength to build friendships and create memories for a lifetime.

It was with a happy and a sad eye that we coached last week’s challenger triathlon camp. Whilst the participants simply got picked up and went home, a special chapter closed for us.

This is no profound text. Rather, it should be a brief acknowledgment to voluntary work in youth development. And finally - an insight into why this camp has gotten a special place in our hearts.

For eight years in a row, the challenger triathlon camp has been an unmissable part of our summer. When we headed to Tenero for the first time, triathlon meant nothing but uncertainty for us. Neither us nor our parents had the slightest idea of the sport. We had received our first road bike two weeks before the camp and had no idea of the doors this week will open for us.

Being the bloody beginners in an environment of mostly experienced athletes has been a challenge. One that we carried with us for many years ever since. However, the coaches of the camp did not treat us any differently and taught us to work with what we had at that time. They simply gave us a chance. The rest is history.

Looking back, we realized one thing. A lot can be achieved on your own but in the end success requires a team. Even in triathlon. The challenger camp gave us exactly that. We met people who later took us to our first camps in St.Moritz - where we got our first Australian contacts -, met people who we still race to this day and made close friends. We simply became part of the Swiss triathlon family. Something 14 year old us then did not realize.

For the past four years, we had the honor to teach the next generation. Showing them what it means to train hard, have fun and help the athletes around you meant a lot to us.

Nevertheless, it is time to move on. As we work, train and will start further studies soon we need to set and therefore shift priorities once again.

Our message to every young athlete reading this; remember that you are not late, you are not running behind - you are arriving exactly when you are meant to be. Keep showing up, keep going and keep having fun.

Inderbitzin’s out.