While most traditional sports tend to focus on the mastery of one skill or activity, triathletes are required to master many. Their races comprise swimming, biking and running consecutively.
Two brothers from Los Altos have been competing in triathlons since age 4, finding success at the local and state levels. Jack and Owen Dickins have combined to compete in more than 25 triathlons, with more on the horizon.
Owen, 15, placed eighth in the high school division of the California State Championship Triathlon in August at Donner Lake. Jack, 12, finished third in his age division of the same event.
Owen, a sophomore at Homestead High School, said his biggest motivation for competing is his parents – also triathletes – while Jack, a seventh grader at Cupertino Middle School, said he likes the sport’s variety.
“I enjoy the different segments of training,” Jack said. “(There are) different sports – swimming, biking, running … you can be very free with them.”
The boys’ mom, Tami Dickins, has been competing in the sport for more than a decade. A former Team USA triathlete, Tami coaches her sons.
“It’s going to hurt, and you’ve got to learn how to adjust to that,” Tami said. “There’s going to be hard days and some races aren’t your best day, but just the mental perseverance for sure (helps).”
Despite their training and dedication to triathlons, competitions can still prove to be challenging and unpredictable. Owen planned to compete in last weekend’s Santa Cruz Triathlon, which involves swimming in the ocean with a wetsuit before a long bike ride and run.
“My goal right now is to qualify for Team USA and go to the world championships,” Owen said. “But to qualify, I’d have to place really well in my upcoming triathlon in Santa Cruz.”
After his success at the state championship, Owen qualified for the national in Wisconsin, but the August event was cancelled due to severe weather that resulted in flooding. Tami said Owen will get another opportunity to participate next year.
In the meantime, both boys are expected to train for other triathlons. They start training about six to eight weeks before a competition, according to their mom. Tami builds their training schedule, running Monday through Friday, incorporating proper nutrition, hydration and sleep to help with school workload balance.
“Scheduling and training is where I come in and where I help and provide guidance,” Tami said.
In the future, Owen and Jack said they see themselves continuing to compete in triathlons through at least high school.
“The sky’s the limit,” Tami said. “Good things … will come from their adventure and journey in this sport.”
