Complete a triathalon

I completed my first triathlon this morning with a time 6 minutes below what I was hoping to accomplish. Official results won’t be posted until tomorrow, but I probably came in the top 20% or 30% overall and in my age division. Not bad! Six months ago, I hadn’t run off of a treadmill, I wasn’t training anywhere near 5k run distances, and I hadn’t done any bike training in years. I’m in great shape, and looking forward to doing this again.

At this time in two weeks I’ll have completed my first triathalon. I’ve not quite finished my training with the seriousness and focus I’d hoped, but I’m in decent shape and will finish well. I’m a bit apprehensive about the logistics and complexity of it, but I know I can complete the distances. Wish me luck!

Is coming up in four weeks. I’ve got to get my bike tuned up, and I’ve got to figure out what gear I’m gonna wear. Otherwise, feel in great shape. Solid mile swim; bike distance piece of cake; and ran 6.5 miles the other day—the longest I’ve run since I hurt my knee in college. Feels great.

I’ve been trying to work two cardio exercises into more of my workouts, and it’s going well. At the gym, I’m biking for 20 or 30 minutes before a 20 or 30 minute run on treadmill (followed by my normal weight routine). At home, I’m biking and jumping rope. I haven’t been swimming as much, both because the rest of the workout is taking up my time, and because of the weather, but I’m not worried about the swim.

Training is going well, but I just read the race instructions and I’m nervous! It’s complicated! Anyway, training IS going well. I’ve got a few fitness goals that are converging into a routine that should get me as ready as I’ll ever be for June.

Swimming strength gets better and better, but the running is making me so tired. My enthusiasm for the gym is waning night to night. Especially now that it’s so dark at night. Gimme some cheers… I need the encouragement!

I registered today for the Philly Insurance Tri in June 2008, Sprint race.

A friend sent me info on this race next June:

http://www.phillytri.com/index2.html

The registration opens November 1. The sprint course is just shy of a mile swim, a 24k bike and a 5k run. This is exactly what I’m looking for in my first race. (fyi – There is an Olympic course: 1.5m, 40k and 10k.) The timing is right, as this takes place June 21-22, 2008, and my goal is to do this before a year passes. I’ll probably sign up.

Was out with buddies the other night. A friend of a friend tells me he and his wife do triathalons. I’m looking at them, thinking, they aren’t superheroes. (Nor am I.) I commute by bike and do a longer ride occasionally. I work out three or five times a week: treadmill, eliptical or run for 30 mins; weights; swim 20 to 30 mins. I’m practically doing a short triathalon every workout! I’ve been a runner for years, participated in 5k to half marathon. I’ve done some 75 mile bike rides for charity. And I’ve never been a stronger swimmer. I’m thinking, I can do this!

So, I’ve begun paying a bit more attention to my swimming. The pool at my gym is short, which shaves some effort and length off my laps, but still I think I’m shy of a 30 minute mile. That’s respectable.

I ran a 5k this morning to test the legs on the pavement. I’m a bit sore, so I’ll have to stretch more. And I’ll have to increase my distance. I feel old, so the longer run could be the hardest part on these knees.

Biking is probably the easiest bit, and I’m in good shape when it comes to the basic race. I’ll postpone training-up on the bike for now.

I need to figure out what races are in the Philadephia area. I figure with the weather getting cooler, my best bet is to shoot for something in the Spring. Plenty of time to train. Help hold me to this goal!