Running a triathlon in Chicago’s frigid January temperatures probably didn’t make the cut on most students’ New Year’s resolutions. But Sunday morning, exercise enthusiasts and amateurs alike swam, cycled and ran in DePaul’s first indoor triathlon.

“I can’t feel my legs,” senior journalism major Claire Edlund said as she walked from her stationary bike to the treadmill in the final leg of her first indoor triathlon.

Twenty-two athletes in groups of five or six started with 10 minutes in the pool, followed by 30 minutes on a stationary bike, and 20 minutes on a treadmill. Compared to an outdoor triathlon, which is organized by distance, athletes on Sunday worked for the maximum distance in a designated time.

Edlund gave high fives to the other athletes when she finished, and said she truly experienced “runner’s high” for the first time.

“(Doing a triathlon) is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Edlund said.

Edlund has been a runner since high school, and began biking and swimming in college. The triathlon was her chance to “put the three to the test,” she said.

Jeff Cloud, a 1997 DePaul alumnus, stretched after running the treadmill portion, and said if he could, he would do the triathlon again to track his training progress for his first outdoor triathlon in June.

“I was surprised by how many people there were,” Cloud said. “There was good attendance for the first year. It was a good age group.”

A variety of participants came to participate, including locals, alumni and students.

Cloud was glad most participants were older than 21.

“That was my impression — that it would be all young kids,” he said.

Maxine Loh, a DePaul zumba instructor, liked the structure of the indoor triathlon because beginners like her could go at their own pace.

“I always really wanted to do it, “ Loh, the high school swimmer, spin class-enthusiast, and frequent runner, said. “But I knew I would never train for the actual triathlon. My body wouldn’t be able to handle one.”

Loh said her adrenaline fueled her through the race, and she beat all of her personal records. “With everyone around me, I fed off their energy,” Loh said. “The triathlon got easier as I went through it.”

Chris Nasti, assistant director of fitness and wellness for Campus Recreation, said some participants were experienced triathletes looking for something fun to do in the off-season. But the event also catered to beginners who wanted to try a triathlon.

“The DePaul Triathlon is a very easy intro to the sport of triathlons,” Nasti said.

Triathletes normally need expensive bikes, other equipment and a familiarity with swimming in open water. Nasti said the indoor triathlon eliminates those factors, giving all participants better chances of meeting their personal goals.

Collin Wiersema, an experienced triathlete and DePaul alum who helped organize the triathlon, said the biggest challenge of any race is the mental obstacles.

“I devote months to my training, so I know that my body is conditioned to compete,” Wiersema said. “On race day, your mindset has to be right for the vigorous race, otherwise you’ll suffer.”

The challenge for participants on Sunday, Wiersema said, was working on stationary equipment.

“You need to stay focused and push yourself in a different way than when you’re racing outside,” Wiersema said.

“I wanted people to use this race as a way to get them to experience the sport of triathlons (I hope participants) continue that enthusiasm and register for outdoor races in the summer.”

The triathlon comes at a time when the Ray Meyer Fitness Center is swamped with its annual rush of people driven by their New Year’s “resolution-kick,” Scott Vandermoon, senior assistant director of facilities, said.

Some experienced users at the Ray complained about the crowded facilities.

Regular user and DePaul senior Hiram Dejesus said the rush at the Ray was annoying.

“The Ray is overcrowded, and there’s no gym etiquette. People don’t know how to properly use things and they take up equipment, sitting on their phones. (Working out after the new year) is a phase for most people,” Dejesus said.

After her regular workout, senior Ariel Mitchell said she didn’t make a specific New Year’s resolution.

“A lot of them die anyway before you get into them,” Mitchell said.

For senior Emily Franks, going to the gym wasn’t about losing weight. Exercise gave her energy, and she wanted to improve her health by eating well and training for her dance company.

The numbers at the gym, Franks said, typically fades after a month or two.

“(Regular users of the Ray) think it’s good when it’s March, and no one is here. I think it’s a shame that people give up on such a good resolution,” Franks said.

The hardest part for students, Vandermoon said, is committing to a fitness routine during the week.

“Life takes over, and we get busy,” Vandermoon said. “School work, jobs, internships and organizations tend to take priority over wellness.”

Students who successfully have an exercise routine carve it into their schedule, using the Ray’s flexible hours and variety of fitness offerings, Vandermoon said.

For users looking to avoid the crowds, the slowest times at the Ray are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 p.m. until closing time, Vandermoon said. Have your ID ready and pack lightly, too. It also speeds up the process of checking in and getting a locker.

Vandermoon said the Ray is always looking to engage students in popular fitness activities.

Students can try out some popular classes on Jan. 14 at the Group Fitness Kick-Off from 6 to 8 p.m. on the basketball courts on the fourth floor. The classes are free and do not require an RSVP.

For users looking to avoid the crowds, the slowest times at the Ray are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 p.m. until closing time, Vandermoon said. Have your ID ready and pack lightly, too. It also speeds up the process of checking in and getting a locker.

Vandermoon said the Ray is always looking to engage students in popular fitness activities.

Students can try out some popular classes on Jan. 14 at the Group Fitness Kick-Off from 6 to 8 p.m. on the basketball courts on the fourth floor. The classes are free and do not require an RSVP.