Little did I know when I started training for the Danskin Triathlon last year what an addiction I would create for myself. As addictions go, it could be worse. Shortly after completing the Tri, it was suggested by Jim, my trainer/friend/workout partner that we could get a group together and train for the Vancouver 1/2 Marathon. So... the training began. Some days it's great and some days it's a slow walk. Today was 3 laps around Greenlake totaling 8.4 miles (first lap with my friend Linda and then high-5s for Dan as I passed him going the opposite direction) and tomorrow will be a short run with Jim and maybe Mary.
Then, my friend Olivier said, "Let's do the STP!" And then, the same week my friend Kristen said, "I just got a new bike and it's time to start long rides on Saturday mornings for STP!" So, I then added the Seattle to Portland 200 mile, 2 day bike ride to my plans. We've been riding on Saturday mornings beginning in late January through mostly rain, but an occasional sun spot.
And... I already had the Danskin Triathlon on the schedule. The bike training for STP and run training for the 1/2 marathon I'm hoping will really help with my finish time for the TRI. Lately the only problem has been to put the bike training on hold so I can do more run training, since that race is first.
And Oh the equipment I've collected so far. When you do triathlons, you need equipment for ALL three sports. The back of my car looks like a sports store. Meaning a swimsuit and training devices for training, wetsuit and Tri-suit to wear under the wetsuit for the Swim portion, then Bike, helmet, bike shoes, pedals, bike shorts and shirts to train in, to say nothing of raingear, bike computer, water bottle. For the running, it should just be shoes right? Well no, cause I needed pants with pockets, shirts that dry quickly, jackets that have pockets, shoes and special socks. And the best equipment was the new iPhone, so I can use the Nike app for GPS tracking to see how far, how fast and mile gauges. And when I finish a run, I can upload the run to Facebook. The food and hydration portion is still in the discovery phase also. I've learned that Nuun tablets dissolved in water help with recovery. Jelly Belly sport beans help for sustaining during a run. My best breakfast before training is oatmeal with a little protein.
My training addiction has also turned into my social time, since I'm usually running, biking or spinning with friends. What works for me is to send a text to my workout partners the night before saying, "Still on for running? or spinning? or biking?" That way when the next morning arrives and I want to sleep, I've already committed to meeting someone and I can't back out. This does not work so well when I've been out the night before having fun and checking something off the 50s list!
One of my very favorite things about all this is that my daughter Alisa is joining me to do the Vancouver 1/2, so we've been training all winter in the wee hours of the morning (5:30 am) and then adding long runs on either Saturday or Sunday mornings in the not so wee hours of the morning.
Most days I enjoy my training, some days not so much... I'm usually sore after, but the high of the exercise is worth it!!
