I was just reading the blog of another triathlete in training and was inspired to finally log into my own blog and ramble a bit. My friend is looking to complete an item off her bucket list... Ironman Triathlon Arizona in November 2010. Sure she is a personal trainer and in generally kick ass shape as it is, but training for an IronMan is nothing to 'sneeze at'. It is a grueling race ... 2.4 mi. swim • 112 mi. bike • 26.2 mi. run... yeah that is right... it has a marathon strapped to the end of it. While I personally never aspire to even contemplate running a marathon let alone doing an Ironman I do have a more modest goal in mind.
My cousin Stephen and I have been batting around the idea of doing an Olympic distance Triathlon for the last year. He started racing sprint triathons last year... the average sprint race is 400-600 yards swim, 12-15 mile bike, and a 5k run on the end. Well this being my fourth season racing I have had only mixed success... I can say oh the first year I was the fittest until my adrenal glands shut down and forced me to do my first scheduled Olympic Distance race as a team (thanks honey for doing the run). The second year while training in the spring found me pregnant for both sprint races I entered. The third year was post baby and i didn't even start training until late May.
So that brings me to this year... Stephen and I talked about doing HyVee together, or as a team with Joe bring up the rear again. Then Stephen was sidelined with foot surgery so it was decision time. I have wanted to do the HyVee triathlon since I volunteered at it two year ago. It is a big deal in the area and the year I volunteered elite athletes that raced were trying to qualify for the summer olympics there. The race is 1.5k swim (a mile), 40k bike (25 miles) and 10k run (6 miles)... which is a lot for a non runner like me.
So what did I decide to do? I signed up to do it... solo! June 13th if you are in the Des Moines area come to see me finish my first Olympic Distance race.
Just to make sure I don't blow it... I have actually been working out pretty regularly. Up until last week I was getting in a couple swims a week (mind you swimming is my best sport), a run (I have been working on my technique to make running easier) and if lucky a few miles on my bike/wind trainer combo in the basement. I am in the process of ramping up to two workouts of each discipline a week. To meet my goal I signed up for an eight week triathlon clinic where I have meet other who are going to compete in HyVee so I have people to train with for two hours every Sunday plus a few coaches to look to for support. I also joined the Triracers Tri club out of Ankeny to find more folks like me.
So far I am feeling good about where I am at... I need more time on the bike, but I am getting 5k runs in twice a week. I did almost two miles in the pool this week... just need to get a core workout in an another roll on the bike and I am meeting my goals for the week. Follow along on my journey as I post more about fitness, nutrition, days with many ARGHS! as I muddle along to check this activity off my list.
Best to you all.
Shawn
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