Stepping up to Your First—or a New-for-You Distance—Triathlon with Kelly O’Mara

In this episode of Another Mother Runner, host Sarah Bowen Shea welcomes Kelly O'Mara, co-host of the Feisty Triathlon podcast and former editor-in-chief of Triathlete Magazine, to discuss the journey of stepping into a first or new-distance triathlon. Kelly shares her personal path from a running background to becoming a pro triathlete, highlighting the challenges of learning to swim and bike as an adult. She emphasizes that triathlon is accessible to runners, with swimming being the most common barrier—though she reassures listeners that it’s learnable through master’s swim groups, lessons, or even books. The episode dives into practical advice: minimal gear needs, the value of triathlon clubs for community and structure, and the importance of starting with a sprint distance. Kelly stresses the power of process goals over outcome goals, the mental shift from 'I can't' to 'I'll try,' and the supportive, inclusive culture of most triathlon events, especially for women. She also addresses race selection, training consistency, and how to overcome intimidation from more experienced athletes. The conversation is infused with humor, vulnerability, and encouragement, making triathlon feel less like a daunting sport and more like a joyful, adaptable challenge for busy moms and athletes alike.