I've had this crazy dream of doing a triathlon for years. I think I saw a documentary on the Ironman over a decade ago and the thought has been rattling around in my head since. There has always been an excuse. Too busy with school, then work, then a baby. Bikes are expensive. I don't have access to a pool. etc, etc, etc.
I'm done making excuses. Is this the best time for me to attempt a tri? Probably not. I am the mom of a three year old (the munchkin) and a six month old (the bean). I'm a solo-practicing lawyer. I'm at least 40 pounds overweight.
Is it ever going to be the right time? No. So here I go!
The munchkin will be ready for preschool in the fall, so we enrolled him at the local JCC. Which meant becoming members... and therefore access to an awesome swimming pool. This weekend I bought a speedo bathing suit, cycling shorts, and a cycling shirt. I found a race- The IronGirl sprint in Webster MA on July 20. That gives me just about 3 months.
I'm not a complete stranger to endurance events. I've run 3 half marathons. I'm also an avid hiker and county highpointer. The thought of physical exertion for 2+ hours doesn't scare me. I know with proper training I can do it.
This is my first week of training. I had intended on a 20 min swim and 3 mile run on monday, but when I got home from the office the munchkin had been throwing up- so comforting a sick kiddo derailed my plans. Instead I got up and went for a swim before I went to the office yesterday. I ended up swimming for a half hour, but had to take frequent breaks. I can do two laps of the 25 yard pool and then need to catch my breath. My skills are a bit rusty. I am much more comfortable with breaststroke than I am with freestyle. I know I should do freestyle in the race since it is more efficient and takes up less space so I hopefully won't kick anyone. So I know I need to work on it. In the evening I did 3 miles on the treadmill. It was slow with many walk breaks- but I did it. Gotta start somewhere.
This morning I got up a o'dark thirty to make it to a spinning class at the JCC. This was my first attempt at spinning in like 4 years, and even back then I think I went to maybe 3 classes. Wow that was hard! But lots of fun. I learned two things- First- I have got to get cycling shoes. I'm a big fan of minimalist running footwear- I'm a vibram five-finger runner. I have five fingers and SoftStar RunAmocs and no other athletic shoes. Minimalist shoes don't really work well on the bikes. I was slipping a lot and could feel the ridges in the pedals, which got pretty uncomfortable by the end of class. Second- I need a gel pad for the seat. oww!
The goal for tomorrow is a 3 mile run. Then Aqua Zumba, just because it is fun.
81 days until the race!
I'm done making excuses. Is this the best time for me to attempt a tri? Probably not. I am the mom of a three year old (the munchkin) and a six month old (the bean). I'm a solo-practicing lawyer. I'm at least 40 pounds overweight.
Is it ever going to be the right time? No. So here I go!
The munchkin will be ready for preschool in the fall, so we enrolled him at the local JCC. Which meant becoming members... and therefore access to an awesome swimming pool. This weekend I bought a speedo bathing suit, cycling shorts, and a cycling shirt. I found a race- The IronGirl sprint in Webster MA on July 20. That gives me just about 3 months.
I'm not a complete stranger to endurance events. I've run 3 half marathons. I'm also an avid hiker and county highpointer. The thought of physical exertion for 2+ hours doesn't scare me. I know with proper training I can do it.
This is my first week of training. I had intended on a 20 min swim and 3 mile run on monday, but when I got home from the office the munchkin had been throwing up- so comforting a sick kiddo derailed my plans. Instead I got up and went for a swim before I went to the office yesterday. I ended up swimming for a half hour, but had to take frequent breaks. I can do two laps of the 25 yard pool and then need to catch my breath. My skills are a bit rusty. I am much more comfortable with breaststroke than I am with freestyle. I know I should do freestyle in the race since it is more efficient and takes up less space so I hopefully won't kick anyone. So I know I need to work on it. In the evening I did 3 miles on the treadmill. It was slow with many walk breaks- but I did it. Gotta start somewhere.
This morning I got up a o'dark thirty to make it to a spinning class at the JCC. This was my first attempt at spinning in like 4 years, and even back then I think I went to maybe 3 classes. Wow that was hard! But lots of fun. I learned two things- First- I have got to get cycling shoes. I'm a big fan of minimalist running footwear- I'm a vibram five-finger runner. I have five fingers and SoftStar RunAmocs and no other athletic shoes. Minimalist shoes don't really work well on the bikes. I was slipping a lot and could feel the ridges in the pedals, which got pretty uncomfortable by the end of class. Second- I need a gel pad for the seat. oww!
The goal for tomorrow is a 3 mile run. Then Aqua Zumba, just because it is fun.
81 days until the race!
