Tulsa Area Triathletes Blog | Tips & News

Spring Fever Sprint Triathlon 2026

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:16:14 GMT

From First-Time Triathletes to Veteran Competitors, Spring Fever Welcomes Everyone.

The 2026 Spring Fever Sprint Triathlon returned to the Jenks Aquatic Center in Jenks, Oklahoma , on May 3, 2026 , bringing together first-time triathletes, experienced racers, relay teams, families, and volunteers for another memorable day of USAT certified triathlon racing.

Hosted by Tulsa Area Triathletes (TAT) and produced by RunnersWorld Tulsa Racing , Spring Fever is a USAT certified race that has become one of Oklahoma's signature sprint triathlons. Since moving to the Jenks Aquatic Center in 2016 , the race has welcomed athletes of every age and ability, earning a reputation as one of the best places to complete a first triathlon while still offering a fast, competitive course for seasoned racers.

The race begins with a 400-yard indoor swim in the Olympic-size pool at the Jenks Aquatic Center before transitioning to a 12-mile bike ride through the rolling roads of Green Country and finishing with a 2-mile run . The compact format, supportive volunteers, and welcoming atmosphere make Spring Fever an ideal introduction to multisport racing.

A Race Built for Everyone

One of the things that makes Spring Fever unique is its accessibility.

Every year, athletes line up for very different reasons. Some are chasing a personal best. Others are preparing for longer races later in the season. Many are simply checking "complete my first triathlon" off their bucket list.

That mix of goals is what defines the event. Newcomers share the course with veteran competitors, encouraging one another from the first swim wave through the finish line. It's a race where experienced athletes remember what it was like to be new—and first-timers discover that they belong.

If you've ever wondered whether triathlon is for you, Spring Fever is the perfect place to start.

2026 Champions

Congratulations to this year's division winners:

Champion: CJ Morrison — 47:23
Female Champion: Jessica Jones Lasley — 51:22

Every finisher deserves recognition for taking on the swim, bike, and run challenge and contributing to another successful race.

An Oklahoma Triathlon Tradition

The Spring Fever Sprint Triathlon is held every spring, typically in late April or early May . Originally hosted in Claremore , the event found its long-term home at the Jenks Aquatic Center in 2016 and has now become a fixture on Oklahoma's endurance sports calendar.

Whether your goal is to finish your first triathlon, improve your time, or reconnect with the local multisport community, Spring Fever continues to embody what makes the sport special: supportive people, friendly competition, and the satisfaction of crossing the finish line.

2026 Event Details

Date: May 3, 2026
Location: Jenks Aquatic Center, Jenks, Oklahoma
Host: Tulsa Area Triathletes (TAT)
Producer: RunnersWorld Tulsa Racing
Swim: 400-yard indoor pool swim
Bike: 12 miles
Run: 2 miles

View Official Results

�� 2026 Spring Fever Sprint Triathlon Results

Let's Race!

Thinking about racing next spring? Whether it's your first triathlon or your fiftieth, we'd love to see you on the starting line at the next Spring Fever Sprint Triathlon.

Know Before You Go

Mon, 04 May 2026 02:58:39 GMT

The Ride Alert app connects you local rides, runs, swims and more. Download Ride Alert via the Apple App Store , Google Play or Mac App Store .

Tulsa Area Triathletes is now using the free Ride Alert app as a centralized place for weekly swims, open water swims, bike rides, group runs, clinics, camps, race preview rides, social events, and training updates across Tulsa’s endurance community. Ride Alert makes it easy for athletes to quickly view upcoming workouts, check event details, receive real-time schedule updates, and stay connected without relying solely on social media.

Why We’re Making This Change

Ride Alert creates one centralized place for Tulsa Area Triathletes swims, bikes, runs, clinics, races, and training events — making it easier to stay connected without relying on social media alone.

A major benefit is real-time group notifications so athletes can know before you go. Weather delays, cancellations, location changes, and last-minute updates can be shared instantly through the app before you head out to train.

How to Get Started

Step 1 — Download the Ride Alert App

Download the free Ride Alert app from:

Apple App Store
Google Play Store
Mac App Store

Step 2 — Create Your Free Account

Step 3 — Follow Tulsa Area Triathletes

Search for: Tulsa Area Triathletes
Follow the club to receive updates and view upcoming training events.

Step 4 — Start Exploring Events

Once connected, you’ll be able to view upcoming events directly within the app.

Stay Connected. Train Together.

Ride Alert helps make Tulsa Area Triathletes training opportunities easier to find, easier to follow, and easier to participate in. Whether you’re looking for your first group workout, open water swim, clinic, or race preview ride, the app provides one simple place to stay informed and connected with Tulsa’s endurance community.

Download the free Ride Alert app , follow Tulsa Area Triathletes, and know before you go.

What Makes Tulsa’s Triathlon Community Different

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:01:51 GMT

More than races and workouts, Tulsa’s triathlon community is built around encouragement, connection, and helping athletes of every level feel like they belong.

More Than Training

For many athletes, triathlon begins as fitness — but quickly becomes community.

Tulsa Area Triathletes brings together swimmers, cyclists, runners, and endurance athletes through training events, races, clinics, and social gatherings that make the sport more welcoming and accessible.

A Community Built for All Levels

One of the unique things about Tulsa’s endurance community is how beginner-friendly it remains. First-time triathletes regularly train alongside experienced racers, coaches, and long-course athletes.

The culture encourages:

Participation
Learning
Consistency
Personal growth
Community support

Athletes are encouraged to progress at their own pace.

Training Creates Connection

Weekly group rides, open water swims, runs, and clinics naturally create friendships and accountability. Many athletes discover their training partners become long-term friends both inside and outside endurance sports.

The social side of triathlon is often what keeps athletes involved long after their first race.

There’s Always Something Happening

Throughout the year, Tulsa Area Triathletes hosts:

Training events
Beginner camps
Skills clinics
Course preview rides
Open water swims
Social runs
Holiday events
Multi-sport races

These events help athletes stay engaged year-round regardless of experience level.

You Belong Here

One of the most important things new athletes should know is this: You do not need to “look like a triathlete” to participate.

Tulsa’s endurance community is filled with athletes balancing careers, families, fitness goals, and personal challenges while supporting one another through the process.

Join us.

Beginner Triathlon Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:47:42 GMT

From training too hard to fearing open water, experienced Tulsa coaches share the beginner triathlon mistakes that matter most — and how to avoid them before race day.

Starting triathlon is exciting, but it’s also easy to make mistakes that can slow progress, create frustration, or even lead to injury. After more than 35 years in the sport — and 18+ years coaching athletes from first-time sprint triathletes to long-course competitors — I’ve learned that most beginner mistakes are completely avoidable.

The good news? You do not need to train perfectly to succeed in triathlon. You simply need consistency, patience, and a realistic approach that works with your everyday life.

Here are some of the most common beginner triathlon mistakes I see — and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Doing Too Much Too Soon

This is by far the most common issue for new athletes.

Many beginners think they need to train hard every day to improve quickly. In reality, triathlon fitness is built gradually over time. Trying to cram too much intensity or volume into the first few weeks usually leads to burnout, exhaustion, or injury.

The athletes who improve the most are often the ones who train consistently — not aggressively.

Focus on:

Building routine
Training sustainably
Recovering properly
Staying healthy enough to keep showing up

Consistency beats hero workouts every time.

Mistake #2: Comparing Yourself to Experienced Athletes

Triathlon can feel intimidating, especially when you’re surrounded by athletes with years of experience, expensive bikes, or long race resumes.

Remember:

Every experienced triathlete was once a beginner too.

Your first season should focus on learning:

· How to pace yourself

· How to fuel properly

· How transitions work

· How your body responds to training

Confidence comes from experience, not comparison.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Recovery

Many new athletes underestimate how important recovery is to performance improvement.

Fitness gains happen during recovery — not just during workouts.

That means:

·Prioritizing sleep

·Staying hydrated

·Taking recovery days seriously

·Listening to fatigue signals

·Balancing training with work and family life

Sustainable training always produces better long-term results than exhaustion.

Mistake #4: Overcomplicating Equipment

You do not need a $10,000 bike to become a triathlete.One of the biggest misconceptions in endurance sports is that expensive gear creates success. While equipment matters eventually, it is far less important than consistency, confidence, and smart training — especially early on. Start with:

·A safe bike

·A properly fitted helmet

·Comfortable running shoes

·Basic swim gear

As your experience grows, you’ll learn what upgrades actually matter for your goals.

Mistake #5: Avoiding Open Water Practice

For many beginners, open water swimming becomes the most stressful part of race day simply because they never practiced it beforehand.

Pool swimming and open water swimming feel very different.

Practicing open water skills before race day helps athletes improve:

·Breathing control

·Sighting

·Confidence

·Pacing

·Comfort swimming around others

The goal is not just swimming faster — it’s learning how to stay calm and efficient in unfamiliar conditions.

Triathlon and swim coach Karina Chung sees this regularly with newer athletes. She advises that, “Most beginner swimmers are capable of more than they think. Confidence is usually the biggest limiter early on — not fitness. Once athletes spend time practicing in open water and learning how to stay relaxed, everything starts to improve.”

Karina emphasizes that consistent swim practice and technique development create far more progress than simply trying to swim harder.

Mistake #6: Training Alone

One of the best ways to stay motivated in triathlon is training with other athletes.

Group workouts help beginners:

·Learn faster

·Build confidence

·Stay accountable

·Ask questions

·Feel supported

That’s one reason communities like Tulsa Area Triathletes are so valuable for new athletes. You quickly realize you’re surrounded by people willing to help you succeed.

Focus on Progress — Not Perfection

Your first triathlon does not need to be perfect.

You do not need the fastest time, the best gear, or flawless workouts to become a triathlete. You simply need the willingness to start and the patience to improve over time.

The athletes who succeed long-term are usually the ones who learn to enjoy the process — not just the finish line.

And remember: Confidence is built one workout at a time.

About Coach Tricia Cadenhead

Known for her hands-on coaching style, Tricia Cadenhead helps athletes of all abilities progress from their first sprint triathlon to long-course racing. A USAT Level 1 Coach with more than 35 years competing in triathlon and 18+ years coaching and personal training.