Triathlete in Training...For Real

I have hesitated to write this post for some time fearing that my training regimen would die or that I would simply become disinterested. But after a solid 9 weeks of training, I feel that I have earned the right to legitimately call myself a triathlete in training.

Some of you remember the post I wrote after Leah and I and a few friends signed up for the Nation's Triathlon. As I mentioned in that post from January, my plan was to dedicate a few months to mentally prepare for the race before any real training. Of course, this was simply a veiled way to procrastinate and it worked better than I had expected - almost till the end of May to be exact! But the number of months before race time began to really freak me out, so I started training, albeit begrudgingly.

In the beginning, I figured the best way to get my legs built up was to run. This is what I knew best and what I have done very sporadically over the last 7 or 8 years whenever I reached the point of being grossed out by my own inactivity. For reference sake, I commonly refer to this phenomenon as "peaking". When this happened in the past, I would come up with a very detailed plan to get into top physical shape and make running a habit for a lifetime. However, in reality, I would usually over do it for a week or so, get shin splints and sore legs and quit until the next "peak."

Yet, knowing that training for a triathlon would require more commitment, I resolved to start out slow and steady. Thus, I started running a couple of miles around a dirt track to ease my shins in. I gradually built up to a little over 4 miles per run and did this 3-4 times a week. But the problem was that I just kept waiting for the "addiction" or runner's high" that you hear people talk about, and yet it never came. For me, every morning was a struggle to get out of bed early and hit the pavement. Further, even if I ran 6.1 miles in the morning, that was only one third of the race. Thus, I felt like I was getting nowhere and yet the race was fast approaching.

So a few weeks ago, I made a shift that has changed my perspective. I started cross training by adding in a few swims and a bike ride or two each week and that has made all the difference. I actually enjoy it now and I feel like I am gaining ground on this triathlon. I have been inspired by watching the Tour de France over the last couple of weeks and have gone on a few bikes rides that almost hit the 26-mile mark that I will need to achieve in the race. Also, I have enjoyed swimming. I think it gives the best confidence because you are able to ramp up so quickly. I completed my fourth swim of the training this morning and swam exactly a mile. Further, I did 50 lengths out of the needed 66 without stopping! Lastly, I am still trying to run once or twice a week and so far, I have not lost my distance.

All to say, I feel like I have the Nation's Triathlon in my sights. I am not planning on winning and in fact, I am already preparing myself for the moment Leah passes me during the race, but I now think I will complete it.

The crazy thing is that our recent referral and court date may make all this a moot point. It is a very real possibility that we will be in Ethiopia during the race. Given the reason if we have to miss, I won't be disappointed in the least. Also, I will know in my own head that I really trained for the race instead of just talking about it. Shoot, I may even go and run my own triathlon when we return just to prove that I can do it!

Well...Maybe not, but it certainly sounds like a good now!

*Editor's Note: If you are reading this and still think I am going to die or am woefully unprepared for a Olympic Distance Triathlon, please keep those sentiments to yourself.