I just can’t help but wonder what I and the rest of the current triathlon world would be doing right now if it were not for people like Julie Moss and John Collins. I strongly believe that a great deal of my life, and maybe your life as well, would not be quite as full if not for these two – and for that I am grateful to these multisport pioneers.

John Collins and a dozen of his buddies started the Ironman distance triathlon back in 1978; Julie Moss, with the help of ABC's Wide World of Sports and Jim Lampley, put the event on the map in 1982. But enough of the history. Let's you and I go make our own history.

It is May, and that means a few things to Nor Cal endurance athletes - not to mention to the mass of humanity that congregates for that annual rite of passage into spring: The Bay to Breakers, those seven square miles of running, walking and streaking across San Francisco. To even more athletes, May means the start of the triathlon season. Whether your destination is Wildflower, Uvas, Angel's Camp or Auburn this month, you are sure to have fun swimming, biking and running at these triathlon classics.

I truly hope that triathlons can be as fulfilling for you as they have been for me. The multisport lifestyle has given me a very rich life, but I would never have had it if not for those who came before me to shape the sport, and for those who came with me to enjoy it.

I was way out of shape when I started triathlons back in 1989; in fact I was a pudgy 220 pounds when I started training to get my life back in order. Triathlons and the social network in the multisport world gave me a home to settle into for a while. This is my twentieth year in the sport of triathlon, and I've got a healthy six pack of tasty triathlon tidbits to share with you:

1. Get to know your transition neighbors. If you make introductions early, it will help keep the peace in transition when everyone's limbs are flailing about trying to get to the next discipline.

2. Thank the volunteers. Without them where would we be? I'll tell you. Our events would be a total mess. Whether at athlete check-in, at registration or the finish line chute, please remember to give the volunteers props for what they do for us.

3. Join a Triathlon Club. Whether you are new to the sport or new to the region, a club will help you plan your training better. With group workouts, discounts through club-associated retailers, and monthly meetings, a club can be socially beneficial too.

4. Volunteer for a race. Treat it like a race day. Just keep the sweats on and get ready to have fun, sore hands, and a hoarse voice by the time the final athlete passes you. Remember, on that day it is all about them!

5. Don't judge an athlete by his body. Just because he may have a little Buddha belly doesn't mean he can't bring it. Case in point: CytoSport's very own Brooke Claiborne. His Buckeye-like running back-style body may not look fast for the long haul, but this man busted out 9:25 a couple of times in Kona back in the day.

6. Don't hide in the bathroom during the swim. If you hate to swim that much, either join a Master's swim program or go take up Decathlons or Marathons. Yes, it is true, this has happened before.

If there is anything I can ever do to help you with your endurance sports life, email me at eric@competitor.com.

See you at the races!