About two weeks ago I went to my 20th Highschool reunion in San Diego. It was just a quick weekend trip and it really provided some perspective on my life. Now, before anyone gets excited in a "everybody takes stock of their life at those events" kind of way, let me finish. My Step-dad Brandt is 63, didn't start really cycling until he was 60, and easily rides 20-30 miles at least five days a week. Not only that, he rides in long distance (50+ miles) events several times a year. At 63.
Most people know that I am a member of the Air Force Reserve. This means that twice a year I have to take a fitness test. The test measures me on how fast I can run 1.5 miles and how many push-ups and sit-ups I can do in one minute. It's mildly challenging, but I only train for about six weeks before each test and then I do nothing. Yep, for the other 40 weeks I basically do NOTHING. I'm 38 and a complete bum for 40 weeks out of the year. Brandt is 63 and rides 150 miles a week.
In the past I have tried to train for a 5k and have always come up short in my goal. Why? Because I hate running. Hate it. It is boring and repetitive and motivating myself to get out and do it is impossible. My wife Marci ran a marathon and is a natural athlete. I have several friends that have ran, or run marathons. I am thoroughly impressed with this. Not only because of the physical discipline involved, but because running for that distance without being chase by a pitbull or a rabid badger and not being completely bored is amazing to me. So, I knew that training for a marathon was not for me. I needed a goal, but I also needed something that would keep me motivated. Enter the triathlon.
When I was younger I was a pretty good athlete. Yeah, I know we all were. However, I was an extremely disciplined cyclist and swimmer and was pretty good. I can also still run pretty fast for only six weeks of training and wondered what I could do with more training. I decided that a triathlon may be the best option.
I did some research online and located one that wasn't too far out that I would lose motivation, but was near enough that I would have enough time to train. So the date is February 9th, 2013. I am using a 22-week program designed to take me from being a lazy bum to a mediocre triathlete. I'll take it.
My first day of training, 27 August 2012, was an eye-opener. The plan called for 25 minutes of walking and 50 yards of swimming. Sounded easy for me. That day I had to be outside and walk for my job so the walking part was taken care of. Now, about that swimming. I was told by the desk clerk at the Y that 50 yards was 2.5 times the length of the pool. I've got this.
Um, turns out I have a long way to go. After one lap, I thought I was going to drown. I am proud though. Despite struggling, I managed to swim consistently (with breaks every lap) for 25 minutes. I did learn a couple of things. 1) I am a horrible freestyle swimmer, 2) Looks like I am going to be swimming either the backstroke or the butterfly for this event.
Training Day 2 is a two-mile bike ride. This I can do.
Most people know that I am a member of the Air Force Reserve. This means that twice a year I have to take a fitness test. The test measures me on how fast I can run 1.5 miles and how many push-ups and sit-ups I can do in one minute. It's mildly challenging, but I only train for about six weeks before each test and then I do nothing. Yep, for the other 40 weeks I basically do NOTHING. I'm 38 and a complete bum for 40 weeks out of the year. Brandt is 63 and rides 150 miles a week.
In the past I have tried to train for a 5k and have always come up short in my goal. Why? Because I hate running. Hate it. It is boring and repetitive and motivating myself to get out and do it is impossible. My wife Marci ran a marathon and is a natural athlete. I have several friends that have ran, or run marathons. I am thoroughly impressed with this. Not only because of the physical discipline involved, but because running for that distance without being chase by a pitbull or a rabid badger and not being completely bored is amazing to me. So, I knew that training for a marathon was not for me. I needed a goal, but I also needed something that would keep me motivated. Enter the triathlon.
When I was younger I was a pretty good athlete. Yeah, I know we all were. However, I was an extremely disciplined cyclist and swimmer and was pretty good. I can also still run pretty fast for only six weeks of training and wondered what I could do with more training. I decided that a triathlon may be the best option.
I did some research online and located one that wasn't too far out that I would lose motivation, but was near enough that I would have enough time to train. So the date is February 9th, 2013. I am using a 22-week program designed to take me from being a lazy bum to a mediocre triathlete. I'll take it.
My first day of training, 27 August 2012, was an eye-opener. The plan called for 25 minutes of walking and 50 yards of swimming. Sounded easy for me. That day I had to be outside and walk for my job so the walking part was taken care of. Now, about that swimming. I was told by the desk clerk at the Y that 50 yards was 2.5 times the length of the pool. I've got this.
Um, turns out I have a long way to go. After one lap, I thought I was going to drown. I am proud though. Despite struggling, I managed to swim consistently (with breaks every lap) for 25 minutes. I did learn a couple of things. 1) I am a horrible freestyle swimmer, 2) Looks like I am going to be swimming either the backstroke or the butterfly for this event.
Training Day 2 is a two-mile bike ride. This I can do.
