Students have a vigorous weekly practice schedule, with triathlon being a multiple-stage competition. The schedule includes swimming on Monday and Wednesday, running on Tuesday and Friday and biking on Thursday and Saturday.

Plant biology junior Lucy Schroeder said they’re currently training for Chippewa Challenge Indoor Triathlon at Central Michigan University and USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships.

They also participate in different events throughout the year, including Run for the House in March, intramural swim meets, local triathlons in Michigan and the Heart Throb 5K in February.

However, the main event students train and prepare for during the spring semester is the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships.

Nationals is an olympic distance triathlon, which means there is a one-mile swim, 24-mile bike and a 10-kilometer run.

Grace Kendra, current president of the MSU Triathlon Club, said she joined her sophomore year because she wanted to stay active and enjoyed the social aspects of the club.

“I wanted a way to stay active in multiple ways, other than just one,” Kendra, an anthropology senior, said. “I wanted that group and team dynamic and I thought that the triathlon team would be a great way to do that. I can swim, bike and run while meeting new people.”

Kendra said nationals are a great way to compete against other athletes and triathlon clubs across the country.

“Colleges and universities from around the country, their triathlon teams come together and participate in this event and compete against each other,” she said. “It’s a really cool way for different groups to get together and meet each other and compete.”

Biochemistry junior Helen Jeffers said she’s been a member of the club for two years and has been participating in triathlons with her family since she was in seventh grade.

“There’s a huge group of people who all have the same common goal of working out together and competing,” she said. “Everyone is working together, trying to improve with each other, we hang out with each other and it’s just super fun getting to know a bunch of new people.”

The club’s main focus and training centered around nationals in April. Jeffers said the ultimate goal of everyone in the MSU Triathlon Club is to go to nationals.

“All of our workouts are catered toward getting ready and getting physically fit to compete in nationals," Jeffers said "That’s our main goal — get fit and go to nationals as a team.”

Collegiate Club Nationals will be held April 21-22 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.