Sports

To Comment on this article Click Here

Ron Boucher has been involved in triathlons for 30 years and is now gearing up for the world championships in China this fall.

And not only is he in training, himself, he is encouraging others to get on the road to better health through whatever fitness program works for them.

The well-known Kincardine resident is the owner of the Erie Belle Restaurant on Harbour Street, and just became an official senior citizen - he turned 65 in March. He races in triathlons which involve swimming a certain distance, biking several kilometres, and then running to the finish line.

"I have been involved in triathlon since 1982 and fully plan to do it for another 30 years," he says. "I participate in about eight to 12 triathlons a year and have been to the world championships the past nine years. I've competed in several provincial and national championships in Canada."

A member of the Kincardine Triathlon Club, and this year's club coach, Boucher has been working with about 20 athletes on Tuesday nights over a 12-week program, offering helpful advice about how to complete a successful triathlon.

He is particularly interested in encouraging female athletes to take part in the Kincardine Women's Triathlon which runs Saturday, July 9, at Station Beach, beginning at 9 a.m.

One important part of the race that many competitors pay little attention to, says Boucher, is the transition stage.

"The triathlon actually has five parts," he says. "The swim, then Transition 1, the biking, then Transition 2, and the run."

During one training session earlier this month, Boucher emphasized this point, noting that often racers are so focused on winning that they forget these important transition steps.

He advised the racers to arrive early to the event so they can get a corner spot on the rack to put their bikes. That way, they can find their bikes easily when they come in from the swim to make the transition for the biking portion.

The transition from biking to running is also very important, especially remembering to rack the bike before leaving the transition station.

Boucher's track record so far this year indicates good training, mentally and physically. He has won three triathlons in a row, in his age category - Milton, Guelph and Huntsville. His next race is in Peterborough July 10 which is the qualifier for the 2012 world championships in New Zealand.

"We are all capable of doing so much more than we do," he says. "I'm not advocating everyone become a triathlete to be healthy. That's my personal journey. What I'm saying is any way you like to get healthy is the right way - swim, walk, yoga, cross-country skiing, stretch, lawn bowling, run, bike, etc. The benefits of moving and feeling good are just so huge.

Ron Boucher (R) with a triathlon colleague at Belwood  

^{for world news, books, sports, movies ...}

Wednesday, June 29, 2011