When a new year rolls around, many people make it their goal to get in better shape, but some forget about staying in shape once January is over. The YMCA of Selma-Dallas County is offering members of the community a chance to push themselves to stay in shape into the next month.

Every Saturday of February at 3 p.m., the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County will host an indoor triathlon, the first one this YMCA has done.

The triathlon is comprised of a .47-mile swim, a 12-mile bike, and a 3.1-mile run.

YMCA aquatics director Scott Haskell encourages everyone to step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves physically and mentally.

“Don’t doubt yourself that you can do something that you might have told yourself you couldn’t do,” Haskell said. “You want to try and do it, try and do it.”

While the distance may look daunting for some, Haskell said there’s no shame in not completing all the mileage. He welcomes first-timers along with experienced triathletes.

The .47-mile swim will take place at the YMCA’s lap pool. The pool can hold four lanes, and the just under half-a-mile swim equates to 17 laps.

Competitors will be timed on a 12-mile bike on the stationary bike with a speedometer attached to it. Haskell said the gym is receiving new treadmills soon and those will be used for the 5K run.

“We want you to at least do all three as much as you can do of all three,” Haskell said.

Haskell said other YMCAs around the area have been doing indoor triathlons, and he said he wanted to give it a try this year to promote health in Selma. He said he’s not expecting a huge number of people to sign up in the first year, but he hopes at least 12 people decide to try it.

“We’re looking at maybe four people every Saturday,” Haskell said. “We’ll make it bigger if we get more response.”

There will be prizes offered for each gender through four age groups, from 15-18, 19-30, 31-50 and 51 and older.

The triathlon is free for YMCA members. Haskell said he is still working on a price for nonmembers to register for the triathlon.

To register, visit the YMCA at 1 YMCA Road and sign up at the front desk or call 874-9622.