By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Jeanne Bryand will be up at dawn on Sunday, a race number painted on her right shoulder and left quadriceps. With her competitors cheering her on, she will swim, run and bike as far as she can – all without leaving the gym where she trains.

She is among nearly 100 athletes expected to take part in the sixth annual indoor triathlon this weekend at Northern York County YMCA in Biddeford.

 Participants age 7 and older will spend 20 minutes each swimming laps, running on a treadmill and riding a stationary bike as they try to record the longest distances in nine age groups.

Jenn Wilson, YMCA health and wellness director, started the indoor event with Charles Melton to offer beginners an introduction to the sport and triathletes a fun way to train.

“We hold it indoors when there’s no way to hold it outside. It’s a great event for beginners. It’s also a great opportunity for triathletes to gauge their level of fitness,” Wilson said. “My favorite part is the spirit of it. Most people are doing it not to compete with others but to accomplish their goal to finish.”

Jeanne Bryand’s goal is simple: to swim better than last year. She has completed the indoor triathlon three times and also competes in traditional outdoor triathlons. Last year, she placed first in her age category.

“That was the most touching medal I ever got,” said Jeanne Bryand, who is 55. “That was one of the best moments. It was totally unexpected.”

Following a bike accident in 2008 while training for a local triathlon, Jeanne Bryand spent months going through rehab and training for her next event. With the indoor triathlon as a goal, working out was easier, she said.

“It’s not just getting on the treadmill or swimming laps. I had a goal in mind. It’s not just drudgery in working out,” she said. “It was a reason to get up out of bed, it was a reason to get up on my feet.”

She said she looks forward not only to challenging herself, but the camaraderie of the day.

“Everybody is there cheering for you and you get that extra rush of adrenaline,” she said. “It’s really exciting.”

While Jeanne Bryand focuses on improving her distances, her daughter will focus on finishing. This will be the first triathlon for Tegan Bryand, a 22-year-old substitute teacher and gymnastics coach.

“My goal is to just finish. I’m hoping to make it through it all,” she said. “And to beat my mom.”

Tegan Bryand said she was inspired to take part in the event by her mother and father, Tom Bryand. To prepare, she goes to the gym four or five times each week to run on the treadmill and stationary bike to build endurance.

Tom Bryand, a member of the Kennebunk Triathlon Club, said he has taken advantage of mild winter weather to run outside. When at the YMCA, he prefers to focus on swimming “because I enjoy it.” Though he is not a strong runner, he said he likes triathlons because the format allows participants to make up for a weakness by doing well in another event.

“It’s nice to go from one event to the other,” he said.  “It’s an interesting sport and definitely catching on,” he said.

Cal Dunwoody agrees.

The 88-year-old Kennebunk man discovered triathlons 48 years ago and hasn’t looked back. While living in Rhode Island, he traveled a circuit of New England triathlons and climbed to the highest peak in every state. He moved to Maine 20 years ago and continued to compete in events, including the indoor triathlon.

Sidetracked from competition by a back injury, Dunwoody goes to the YMCA four or times each week to keep in shape in hopes of racing again. After rowing 5K on a rowing machine, he pedals a bike seven miles and swims 20 laps.

Dunwoody said triathlons are perfect for beginners and people looking for a fun way to keep in shape, no matter what their age.

“The mixed sport is good. To do one sport all the time can be boring. The change makes it interesting he said. “Here, you’re just racing against yourself.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.