KRISTIN ORR
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Triathletes Name: Kristin Orr Age Group: 39/Athena Country: USA
Favourite Distance: Sprint Time in Sport: 2011 was my first year competing at the age of 39! Hours per week: 8-12 hours
Best Results: Actually won my 1st Super Sprint distance triathlon this year.
Additional Information: I have a full time field sales position in the automotive industry where I cover multiple states and travel every week. I drive on average 35,000 miles a year in my car. It’s always hard negotiating training on the road and where I will be able to sneak in a swim, or getting home in time to log some miles on my bike.
For the last 10 years I have shown Paint horses competitively in Ohio, so I am familiar with “hobbies” that require a time commitment.
How did you get started in Triathlon? I sold my horse in 2010, while she was away for training, I started riding my road bike. I got bored after putting on nearly 400 miles in a few months, so I learned to run through the Couch to 5K program. Graduated from C25K program and ran several 5K’s in 2010. I had two of the events down, adding swimming was by far the easiest.
Learn more about Kristin: I do have a Facebook page
TRAINING AND RACING TIPS
Favourite Training Session: Anytime riding my bike outside with friends. Love to put in 20-30 miles on a sunny weekend afternoon.
Favourite part of a triathlon: THE FINISH LINE!
What would you like to improve? Running, that’s my 2012 personal goal. I would like to PR in the 5k in 30 minutes or less and carry that over to my sprint distance run time.
Tips to stay motivated: Every time you cross the finish line it is a complete sense of accomplishment. My greatest feeling, is at 39 years old I am in the best shape of my life!
How important is confidence in your racing performance? It’s always important, but every time you pass a milestone, or improve, it makes you feel like a million bucks. The confidence naturally follows.
Time saving tips: TAKE THE FIRST STEP! Stop making excuses and make time for yourself to get fit.
Tips for improving: Ask friends. I joined a local tri group, and we tried to do bike rides a few times a month. I met many local triathletes on beginnertriathlete.com one of the girls really helped me out with improving my swim and getting started when I started training this spring and got me started on the right path.
Racing Tips: Just sign up for your first race, once you get one under your belt you can get a feel if you had the right distance, or would prefer all women’s tri, or don’t mind the combined male and female tri’s. The biggest is also determining what swim distances are suitable – do you prefer open water swims or would you prefer doing your triathlons in a pool.
Game Face
Future Goals: 1) Run a Half Marathon 2)Improve running times to be consistent in the triathlon placings at the sprint distance. (All podiums that I missed in 2011 – less than 5 minutes separated winner and me. Majority of that time was my run time that kept me from placing). 3) Stay healthy and injury free.
Future Goal – USA Triathlon National Sprint Championships
Why should women participate in Triathlon? The feeling of accomplishment and doing something for you. Getting fit is sexy.
Other comments: Don’t think you will be the only person who might be overweight or look like a stuffed sausage in a wet suit. Everyone has that fear – just get out and have a good time. Keep smiling and you will find the triathlon community as a whole is a good bunch. Extremely accommodating and welcoming to newbies.
