( CNN ) It takes a village to raise a triathlete . Since returning home from our kickoff weekend where we got to experience life as a full-time triathlete , I 've been juggling training life with a full-time job , hectic commute and time with friends and family . With my Fit Nation teammates spread far and wide , this was a solo effort . Throw in a notorious Chicago winter that refused to go gently into that good night , and I 'll admit it : I was not very diligent in getting all of my training done . `` Partner up , '' the Facebook status read . Jae Rockwell , the founder of my local women 's fitness groups , Women RUN the World , posted this mantra to help us keep ourselves accountable . And so that 's what I did . I 'm lucky to count a handful of both experienced and aspiring triathletes among my friends . So , I reached out to them to ask what they were up to . Annastasia W. , who 's training for her first Ironman half-triathlon this summer , suggested a group brick workout at our local gym . She invited several other women , including complete newbies , through the SoleTri Sisters Facebook group and 10 of us met up on a cold Chicago morning to swim for 15 minutes , bike for 30 minutes and run for 15 minutes . That was great motivation to keep up with my workouts for the next week . A few weeks later , I traveled to Little Rock , Arkansas , to run a marathon . I traveled to Little Rock with three phenomenal `` fitspirations '' : Samantha Goga , Natali Villarruel and Umber Rahman -- who are members of an obstacle course race group called the Midwest Vikings . Seeing how much fun they 've had participating in some really daunting physical challenges helped me push through some of the more difficult moments of running my first marathon ! Swimming remains my weakest link . I just learned to swim last summer . Sometimes I forget that and do n't cut myself any slack or recognize how far I 've come . Once my formal swim class ended in February I found myself seriously slacking on my swim training . Enter my swim angels , Lovie Twine and Eanista Bailey . They took me out into Lake Michigan last year after my first swim class was complete for a celebratory `` swim '' ( which was really just wading ) . It was great to have them join me for a swim workout . I appreciated their perspective and gentle coaching . And you know what was happening while I was partnering up ? Spring was on the way ! And that meant I could finally break free of my Computrainer bike sessions and hit the road . I was lucky enough to connect with the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Chicago ( MTC3 ) for a series of novice rides they 've been hosting on local trails around Chicagoland . With two falls behind me ( hey , those clips take some getting used to ) , we got in nearly 23 miles and a new addiction was born . Riding outside with the wind whipping your face , chasing your friends and breathing fresh air is exhilarating and I 'm looking forward to many more rides outdoors . I want to say thank you to the fellowship of fitness that I 've been lucky enough to find . There are so many others we keep me inspired , accountable and motivated . I 'm so grateful that they keep me moving in the right direction and I hope that I can help others do the same . So when times get tough , partner up !
Working out in a group of friends inspired the Midwest Vikings participant Erica Moore .