From Swim Club to Triathlon: Jane Reik’s Journey of Endurance and Inspiration

Jane Reik’s journey in endurance sports began long before she ever heard the word “triathlon.” At just four years old, Jane found herself at the Indian Valley swim club in Walnut Creek, where her parents noticed her natural affinity for the water. Her first competitive event, a 25-yard backstroke, became one of her earliest childhood memories – complete with tears, choking, and gasping. But it also marked the beginning of her love for competition and pushing herself. How did Jane go from the swim club to triathlon?

As Jane grew up, her passion for swimming continued. She swam competitively throughout her childhood and teenage years, moving from California to Maryland and eventually to Long Island, New York. In high school, Jane benefited from the recent passing of Title IX, which opened up more sports opportunities for girls. She tried her hand at various sports, including field hockey, basketball, and volleyball, but swimming remained her mainstay.

The Spark that Ignited a Triathlon Career

It wasn’t until 1990 that Jane’s journey into the world of triathlon began. As a busy mother of three young children, she started running to lose baby weight. A conversation with her children’s pediatrician, Dr. Marty Keble, introduced her to the concept of triathlon.

“I had watched ABC Sports and seen Julie Moss crawl across the finish line to win the Ironman,” Jane recalls. “That always intrigued me. I thought, I really never loved running, but I definitely could bike and I definitely could swim.”

Encouraged by Dr. Keble, Jane borrowed a bike and started training. She joined a local swimming group and learned about brick workouts. This wasn’t the same as going from the swim club as a youth to triathlon but it is part of her journey. In 1993, she officially began participating in races in Connecticut.

Overcoming Obstacles as a Woman in Triathlon

When Jane started competing in triathlons in the early ’90s, she estimates that only about 20% of participants were women. As a mother of three young children, she faced unique challenges.

“My biggest obstacle was finding the time to train,” Jane says. “I was running at four in the morning. I’d put my son down, and he’d go back to sleep, and I’m wide awake. I’m going for a run.”

Jane had to be creative with her training schedule, often fitting in workouts while her kids were at sports practice. “I’d take them to football practice, and while the other mothers are schmoozing on the sidelines, I would be running around the school, getting a few miles in.”

Another challenge was the lack of appropriate clothing for women triathletes. “They didn’t have the clothing like we have now,” Jane remembers. “I think I actually had a couple of custom-made suits made with a pad built in for the bike portion.”

The Evolution of Women’s Participation in Triathlon

Over the past 30 years, Jane has witnessed significant changes in women’s participation in triathlon. She’s thrilled to see more women getting involved in the sport and the increasing inclusivity in athletics.

“I’m excited to see the change in the sport where more women are getting involved,” Jane says. “It’s important to grow the sport, and we don’t want people to do just one race and then be done. We want them to fall in love with the sport.”

Jane has taken an active role in encouraging and mentoring other women in the sport. She’s held women’s clinics and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience. “I don’t want them to make the same mistakes that I did,” she explains. “I want to help other women in particular because we have to grow the sport.”

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Finding Balance and Staying Motivated

Despite her early inspiration from Julie Moss’s Ironman performance, Jane has primarily focused on shorter distance races throughout her career. “I love this time of the year,” she says, referring to the upcoming nationals in Atlantic City. “I’ve stuck to short distance all these years. I’ve done some 70.3s, but I don’t particularly love them because I don’t really love racing in the heat.”

Jane’s approach to triathlon has always been about finding balance. “I’m a person that has a lot of interests, and I really always strive for some sort of balance,” she explains. This philosophy has allowed her to maintain her passion for the sport while also enjoying other aspects of life, including golf, spending time with her grandchildren, and participating in her Women on Wheels cycling group.

The Importance of Consistency and Accountability

When asked for advice for beginners or those who have lost their enthusiasm for the sport, Jane emphasizes the importance of consistency and accountability.

“To do a race and feel good about it, you do have to consistently train,” she advises. “You have to find ways to keep it fun. For some people, it’s their swim group or their running buddy. There’s an accountability factor.”

Jane believes that this consistency, combined with the joy of the sport, is what keeps people coming back. “You want to feel like you want to take a minute to really savor what you did,” she says. “Because I really do feel the sport of accomplishing, be it an Ironman or a sprint, it’s a confidence and self-esteem builder.”

The Ongoing Journey

At 66, Jane continues to compete and excel in triathlons. She recently won her age group in a sprint triathlon in Massachusetts and is looking forward to the upcoming nationals. Her motivation comes from a desire to stay healthy, active, and engaged with life.

“I want to be fit,” Jane says. “I go to the doctors annually, and they’re like, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing.’ This should help prolong your life, have a good quality of life.”

Jane’s story shows us that going from the swim club to triathlon is about persistence and joy. From a four-year-old swimmer to a triathlete grandmother, she continues to inspire and motivate others in the endurance sports community.

“There are a lot of reasons why I still stay in the sport,” Jane reflects. “I guess when it stops being fun, you know, then maybe I hang it up. But I’m not ready to be done yet, you know?”

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