At least as far as the schedule goes now, Fridays are my free days. That's right, no work out at all scheduled for today. That works out rather nicely today because it is about 102 degrees today.
When I first started this journey, my overzealous self wanted to work out at least an hour every day. No pain, no gain sort of mentality. I have since learned that while it is important to put in the hours, it is also important to have some time off scheduled into the training. IN FACT, not having some recovery time in the training schedule will actually reduce your gains.
I have come to cherish these off days. I think that part of this is that mentally, it helps my attitude. After all, it is supposed to be fun. Sure it is challenging and sometimes I have to make myself get out there BUT if it is only misery, why would I want to do this? The other part is physical. I have learned that truly, your body cannot fully recover from workouts without some rest time figured in.
SO today I get to rest and I will probably also have a nice big dinner and MAYBE even a frozen adult beverage or two.
Have a great weekend!
David
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
More Exercise BUT Less Diet
Today's scheduled workout - 2100m swim and an hour lifting weights with Cody
Deja vu on the swim, except for the time of day. Today's swim was a repeat of yesterday's. Another 2100m consisting of a 450m warm up and a 3 sets of 500m free style followed by 50m breast stroke. Other than that not much more to report about the swim. It is finally getting easier. AND now that it is getting easier, I can say with much more certainty, that I hate kick boarding!
For my second workout of the day, I lifted weights with Cody Eubank for an hour at Blairwood. Basically a total body work out - squat lifts, clean and jerks, bent over rows, decline bench presses, ab machine, and a few creative exercises Cody invented just to torture me.
Score for the day - +2 for exercise BUT probably -3 or 4 on diet and THAT I will blame on George Coleman. George called me today and we went out to dinner at Bistro 42 where I got a giant helping of spaghetti and meat sauce, zucchini and squash, and garlic bread. Delicious but I may skip standing on the scale in the morning.
Tomorrow is my Off Day! Everyone needs a day of rest.
Have a great evening.
As always, I would love to answer questions or get tips or comments.
David
Deja vu on the swim, except for the time of day. Today's swim was a repeat of yesterday's. Another 2100m consisting of a 450m warm up and a 3 sets of 500m free style followed by 50m breast stroke. Other than that not much more to report about the swim. It is finally getting easier. AND now that it is getting easier, I can say with much more certainty, that I hate kick boarding!
For my second workout of the day, I lifted weights with Cody Eubank for an hour at Blairwood. Basically a total body work out - squat lifts, clean and jerks, bent over rows, decline bench presses, ab machine, and a few creative exercises Cody invented just to torture me.
Score for the day - +2 for exercise BUT probably -3 or 4 on diet and THAT I will blame on George Coleman. George called me today and we went out to dinner at Bistro 42 where I got a giant helping of spaghetti and meat sauce, zucchini and squash, and garlic bread. Delicious but I may skip standing on the scale in the morning.
Tomorrow is my Off Day! Everyone needs a day of rest.
Have a great evening.
As always, I would love to answer questions or get tips or comments.
David
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I'm a Super Slacker
Today's scheduled workout was for a 2100m swim and an hour of Yoga.
Another busy day. So I got the swim out of the way first thing. In the pool by 6:20 and out about 7:30. 2100m as planned. So far, so good. (Side note: Kick boarding, still S-U-C-K-S! Just saying.) (Second side note: You would think that all this chlorine would kill all kinds of germs and creepy crawly things. In may case, however, it seems to make my chest and shoulder break out.) I digress. Anyway, the swim went very well and I added 500m from yesterday.
The plan after work was to go to Spanish night at Salsarita's and then to Yoga. Unfortunately, when I got home I discover that Rocky dog was sick again. Now Rocky and I have an appointment with the vet on Friday and Yoga and Spanish will have to wait another week.
The decision for tomorrow is whether to swim when I am lifting weights with Cody later in the day.
Oh well. One day at a time, I guess.
Have a great evening!
David (aka Super Slacker0
Another busy day. So I got the swim out of the way first thing. In the pool by 6:20 and out about 7:30. 2100m as planned. So far, so good. (Side note: Kick boarding, still S-U-C-K-S! Just saying.) (Second side note: You would think that all this chlorine would kill all kinds of germs and creepy crawly things. In may case, however, it seems to make my chest and shoulder break out.) I digress. Anyway, the swim went very well and I added 500m from yesterday.
The plan after work was to go to Spanish night at Salsarita's and then to Yoga. Unfortunately, when I got home I discover that Rocky dog was sick again. Now Rocky and I have an appointment with the vet on Friday and Yoga and Spanish will have to wait another week.
The decision for tomorrow is whether to swim when I am lifting weights with Cody later in the day.
Oh well. One day at a time, I guess.
Have a great evening!
David (aka Super Slacker0
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I'm a Slacker
Training Schedule for the day was a mile swim and a 3 or 4 mile run this afternoon.
The swim was on at lunch. (1600m consisting of a warm up (100m breast, 300m kick board, and 50m breast), 2 sets of (500m freestyle and 50m breast) and finishing the mile with 50m breast) Time for the total workout was a little less than an hour. The only reason time matters is that the triathlon starts are determined by your estimated swim time. So, it is looking like my estimated swim time for the half mile is about 30 minutes.
The problem with Tuesdays is that it is also half price movie night which leaves me with a choice and I chose the movie. But it gets worse. The movie was Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. So the run didn't happen but I finally understand everything about the Civil War.
This brings me to the crux of my search for my triathlete identity. I have run. I have cycled. I have swum. But as of yet, I have not done all three at the same time. So the question is, can one be a triathlete and a movie lover? We'll see.
Looks like the run is going to have to wait until Saturday again.
Signing off for the night. Have a great evening.
David (the Slacker)
PS - In addition to questions, training tips, or other triathlon advice, it looks as though I should also be open to general derision and chastisement and of course, advice to make better choices.
The swim was on at lunch. (1600m consisting of a warm up (100m breast, 300m kick board, and 50m breast), 2 sets of (500m freestyle and 50m breast) and finishing the mile with 50m breast) Time for the total workout was a little less than an hour. The only reason time matters is that the triathlon starts are determined by your estimated swim time. So, it is looking like my estimated swim time for the half mile is about 30 minutes.
The problem with Tuesdays is that it is also half price movie night which leaves me with a choice and I chose the movie. But it gets worse. The movie was Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. So the run didn't happen but I finally understand everything about the Civil War.
This brings me to the crux of my search for my triathlete identity. I have run. I have cycled. I have swum. But as of yet, I have not done all three at the same time. So the question is, can one be a triathlete and a movie lover? We'll see.
Looks like the run is going to have to wait until Saturday again.
Signing off for the night. Have a great evening.
David (the Slacker)
PS - In addition to questions, training tips, or other triathlon advice, it looks as though I should also be open to general derision and chastisement and of course, advice to make better choices.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Back in the Saddle
Although I was apprehensive about today's training, it was a good day. Due to my work schedule today, I had to do my swim bright and early and was in the pool by 6:20. I increased the continuous distance to 500m stretches from 200m but the total distance was down from 2700m to 1600m. So today's workout consisting of my warm-up (100m breast, 300m kick boarding, 50m breast) then 2 sets of (500m free style plus 50m breast) and finally an additional 50m breast to finish up a mile.
Increasing the distances from 200m to 500m was unsettling. Last week I was completely out of breath at the end of my 200m legs and I needed every bit of a minute to rest between legs. So I really could not imagine swimming 500m.
Most stressful for me right now is figuring out the schedule to train and still manage work and home life including checking on the pup dog. (Rocky is happily feeling much better.) Currently, I need 2 workouts a day most days. Once home I have a hard time getting motivated to exercise again. Today was no exception. I really did not want to do anything other than chill for a while. Never-the-less, I managed to get on a bike and get in 11 miles.
As I learn and adapt, I am hopeful that things will seem easier and less stressful.
Tomorrow (assuming all goes according to plan) another swim and a short run AND maybe a movie night!
Let me know if you have any questions or comments. If you are also training, I would love to hear your tips and stories. Have a great night!
David
Increasing the distances from 200m to 500m was unsettling. Last week I was completely out of breath at the end of my 200m legs and I needed every bit of a minute to rest between legs. So I really could not imagine swimming 500m.
Most stressful for me right now is figuring out the schedule to train and still manage work and home life including checking on the pup dog. (Rocky is happily feeling much better.) Currently, I need 2 workouts a day most days. Once home I have a hard time getting motivated to exercise again. Today was no exception. I really did not want to do anything other than chill for a while. Never-the-less, I managed to get on a bike and get in 11 miles.
As I learn and adapt, I am hopeful that things will seem easier and less stressful.
Tomorrow (assuming all goes according to plan) another swim and a short run AND maybe a movie night!
Let me know if you have any questions or comments. If you are also training, I would love to hear your tips and stories. Have a great night!
David
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Excuses. Excuses.
Once again, having to go with Plan B. Originally, the plan was to have a decent bike this afternoon. It has been nearly 2 weeks since have really biked at all due to my flat tire last week. Unfortunately, my dog has been sick and I have been taking care of him all day and waiting for the vet. Although he still does not feel well (the dog), he seems to be feeling enough better that I think I can leave him alone for a couple of hours.
So the new plan is to go to the gym for weight training this afternoon. At this point, I don't have a specific weight training plan for the triathlon. I am doing a total body workout of about 3 sets each. I will simply see what is available in the gym and more or less make it up as I go along.
AND I get to work out in air conditioning!
I'll decided later what to do about the bike. I may just let it slide or I may do something later in the day.
Have a great day.
David
So the new plan is to go to the gym for weight training this afternoon. At this point, I don't have a specific weight training plan for the triathlon. I am doing a total body workout of about 3 sets each. I will simply see what is available in the gym and more or less make it up as I go along.
AND I get to work out in air conditioning!
I'll decided later what to do about the bike. I may just let it slide or I may do something later in the day.
Have a great day.
David
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Lack of Planning and Over Exertion
I got up this morning at 5:45 so I could run the Indatus 5K for Family Scholar House in Iroquois Park this morning. I guess I've gotten a little cavalier about running because on my way over I realized that I had not had anything to eat or drink. So I had to make a stop at a Thorntons for a pop tart and a gatorade. Then I realized I had not taken time to use the restroom. SO, I made another stop at a Starbucks to order a latte and use their facilities.
The weather was perfect and I met up with some friends and everything ended up going very well. ALTHOUGH, I can tell you from experience that running even a 5K without taking some fluid and at least a little bit of food can really mess you up.
With that behind me, I had to make up my swim from Thursday. I don't know what it was today, but I had to get out of the pool to pee three times today during my workout and I had charlie horses in my left calf three times also. I swam 2700m in total today and it ended up taking nearly 2 hours to finish. ((Warm-up 450m - 100m breast, 300m kick boarding, 50m breast) plus 5 sets of 450m consisting of 2sets of 200m free style plus 50m breast)
Now, following the workout, I felt pretty good but I knew that I needed some food pretty quickly. I stopped for some lunch and came home. I considered an afternoon bike because I got my bike back from repair yesterday but decided that it might be a good idea to take a short nap first.
Thank goodness, for some Common Sense! Once I laid down I realized that my workouts had been harder on me than I originally thought. I am still learning about swimming, and even though my combined effort was only a total of 2 and 1/2 hours of exercise (which I can do easily running or biking), I was wiped out.
Two hours later, when I woke up, I could tell that I needed something. So I got into the chocolate and got some gatorade. After several dove chocolate pieces, I am feeling better again but the bike ride will have to wait until tomorrow.
As you can not doubt tell, for me a lot of this is trial and error. When I first started thinking about triathlons, I felt sure that a sprint triathlon would be easy for me. I had already run 2 marathons and could bike 40 or 50 miles with no problem. But today, I was wondering if I was going to be able to do this after all. I realize that 2700m is a lot further than 800m. BUT, I am nowhere close to being able to swim 800m without stopping and I think that the triathlon is 5 weeks from today.
Next week is going to be an extremely busy week for me and I am worried about how I am going to find time for training. Also, next week should be when my swim gear up to repetitions of 500m free style and I'm wondering how I can possibly swim that far without a break.
Well, I'll take it one day at a time.
As always, let me know if you have questions. Also, if any of you are experienced in this and have suggestions, that would also be awesome. AND of course, if anyone else would like to contribute stories about their training, that would be really cool as well.
Have a great day everyone!
David
The weather was perfect and I met up with some friends and everything ended up going very well. ALTHOUGH, I can tell you from experience that running even a 5K without taking some fluid and at least a little bit of food can really mess you up.
With that behind me, I had to make up my swim from Thursday. I don't know what it was today, but I had to get out of the pool to pee three times today during my workout and I had charlie horses in my left calf three times also. I swam 2700m in total today and it ended up taking nearly 2 hours to finish. ((Warm-up 450m - 100m breast, 300m kick boarding, 50m breast) plus 5 sets of 450m consisting of 2sets of 200m free style plus 50m breast)
Now, following the workout, I felt pretty good but I knew that I needed some food pretty quickly. I stopped for some lunch and came home. I considered an afternoon bike because I got my bike back from repair yesterday but decided that it might be a good idea to take a short nap first.
Thank goodness, for some Common Sense! Once I laid down I realized that my workouts had been harder on me than I originally thought. I am still learning about swimming, and even though my combined effort was only a total of 2 and 1/2 hours of exercise (which I can do easily running or biking), I was wiped out.
Two hours later, when I woke up, I could tell that I needed something. So I got into the chocolate and got some gatorade. After several dove chocolate pieces, I am feeling better again but the bike ride will have to wait until tomorrow.
As you can not doubt tell, for me a lot of this is trial and error. When I first started thinking about triathlons, I felt sure that a sprint triathlon would be easy for me. I had already run 2 marathons and could bike 40 or 50 miles with no problem. But today, I was wondering if I was going to be able to do this after all. I realize that 2700m is a lot further than 800m. BUT, I am nowhere close to being able to swim 800m without stopping and I think that the triathlon is 5 weeks from today.
Next week is going to be an extremely busy week for me and I am worried about how I am going to find time for training. Also, next week should be when my swim gear up to repetitions of 500m free style and I'm wondering how I can possibly swim that far without a break.
Well, I'll take it one day at a time.
As always, let me know if you have questions. Also, if any of you are experienced in this and have suggestions, that would also be awesome. AND of course, if anyone else would like to contribute stories about their training, that would be really cool as well.
Have a great day everyone!
David
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Adjusting on the Fly again
Since this has turned into a "rest" week, I am adjusting the schedule on the fly again. Originally, I had a swim scheduled for the day. Since the swim is my weakest point, it needs the most work and I have found that I can't really build any endurance for the swim with only 2 or 3 swims a week. I have settled into 3 to 5 swims a week but never more than 2 days without a swim. (It is harder to manage than it sounds.)
Anyway, with that in mind, I had swims planned for Monday through Thursday this week. Yesterday, however, I swam 2250m and realized that if I swam today, I would need to swim 2700m. The problem in there is that somewhere in between all of this training, I need to also work. By the time I swam 2700m, changed, showered, etc, I could easily burn up 2 hours or more. So, I decided that swim really should be scheduled for the weekend.
NOW, the plan is to do weights today only (this afternoon after work). Tomorrow is my rest day (no training whatsoever). Then Saturday, I run a 5K with some friends and then I can get my 2700m swim in before 1 PM.
Although it sounds a little stressful, once you have a general plan to follow, it is good to have some flexibility in the plan. That little bit of flexibility can help keep you motivated and on target if your schedule gets off kilter.
So, today I get to stay dry and hopefully the water will dry up in my ears before Saturday morning.
Hope you have a great day.
David
Anyway, with that in mind, I had swims planned for Monday through Thursday this week. Yesterday, however, I swam 2250m and realized that if I swam today, I would need to swim 2700m. The problem in there is that somewhere in between all of this training, I need to also work. By the time I swam 2700m, changed, showered, etc, I could easily burn up 2 hours or more. So, I decided that swim really should be scheduled for the weekend.
NOW, the plan is to do weights today only (this afternoon after work). Tomorrow is my rest day (no training whatsoever). Then Saturday, I run a 5K with some friends and then I can get my 2700m swim in before 1 PM.
Although it sounds a little stressful, once you have a general plan to follow, it is good to have some flexibility in the plan. That little bit of flexibility can help keep you motivated and on target if your schedule gets off kilter.
So, today I get to stay dry and hopefully the water will dry up in my ears before Saturday morning.
Hope you have a great day.
David
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
I have Questions
I'm starting this blind and I have lots of questions.
I don't know how to do the transitions. I don't know what I need to make transitions or how to set them up.
Silly as it sounds, I don't know what to wear. I guess that people bike and run in their swim suits. In videos, it appears that many people compete is something like a singlet but I can't tell if that is also the swim suit.
Now that I am swimming, I don't know what to do about my hair. With an hour plus swim 4 days a week and taking 2 or 3 showers a day after workouts, my hair feels like it is trying to suck all of the moisture out of my fingers when I touch it.
I don't know how to manage food and fluid during the event. For the sprint triathlon August 4th, I'm not too concerned because I feel like I can handle the bike and run without needing food or fluid on the actual bike and run but for longer events, I'm a little at a loss. I just bought a new camel back to help me when I bike but I'm not sure if people are allowed to use things like this during events.
I have some equipment questions to figure out along the way. Most of these involve things for the bike and clothing to wear.
I'm still figuring out the training schedule. When I sit down and work out a schedule, it is awfully hard to get it all in. Right now I am really working on the swim because right now, I still cant swim continuously for 800m (at least not free style.) The swim is getting much better but I have lost a lot of my endurance running in sacrificing running time and distance to swim more. For now I am in no danger of being unable to do the bike and run distance BUT as I gear up for longer races, I have a lot of work to do.
That is just the beginning. As I go along, I am finding more and more questions.
Speaking of which, as I have been saying all along, I am open to questions if you have some AND of course I would love it if you could offer some of the answers!
Have a great evening!
David
I don't know how to do the transitions. I don't know what I need to make transitions or how to set them up.
Silly as it sounds, I don't know what to wear. I guess that people bike and run in their swim suits. In videos, it appears that many people compete is something like a singlet but I can't tell if that is also the swim suit.
Now that I am swimming, I don't know what to do about my hair. With an hour plus swim 4 days a week and taking 2 or 3 showers a day after workouts, my hair feels like it is trying to suck all of the moisture out of my fingers when I touch it.
I don't know how to manage food and fluid during the event. For the sprint triathlon August 4th, I'm not too concerned because I feel like I can handle the bike and run without needing food or fluid on the actual bike and run but for longer events, I'm a little at a loss. I just bought a new camel back to help me when I bike but I'm not sure if people are allowed to use things like this during events.
I have some equipment questions to figure out along the way. Most of these involve things for the bike and clothing to wear.
I'm still figuring out the training schedule. When I sit down and work out a schedule, it is awfully hard to get it all in. Right now I am really working on the swim because right now, I still cant swim continuously for 800m (at least not free style.) The swim is getting much better but I have lost a lot of my endurance running in sacrificing running time and distance to swim more. For now I am in no danger of being unable to do the bike and run distance BUT as I gear up for longer races, I have a lot of work to do.
That is just the beginning. As I go along, I am finding more and more questions.
Speaking of which, as I have been saying all along, I am open to questions if you have some AND of course I would love it if you could offer some of the answers!
Have a great evening!
David
It's Official - Knees Don't Fail Me Now
I turned in the registration form today to Tom Sawyer Park, so I guess I am officially registered for my first triathlon! NOW if I can only master the swim between now and then.
Today, I swam 2250m consisting of my now standard 450m warm up (100m breast, 400m kickboarding and 50m breast), followed by 1800m consisting of 4- 450m sets (consisting of 2-200m free style and 50m breast)
It took about an hour and 15 minutes which was kind of stressful today because by the time I changed, swam, showered, changed again, it took about more than an hour and a half today. THEN, I almost immediately need something to eat. Because I spent a long lunch swimming, I get a sandwich for carryout and eat (very quickly at my desk) Normally, I try to swim about 1600m at lunch which is about a mile. But as I increase distance, I end up with some days with much longer swims that I need to work in some how. This is very much a work in progress and I am making adjustments as I learn what I am doing. I may need to switch at least some of the swims to early mornings before work.
Luckily I didn't cramp up like I did last Saturday when I also swam 2250m and I also didn't collapse for several hours due to insufficient food and fluid, (also like last Saturday) So, I am counting it as a win for the day!
Normally on Wednesday, I also do an hour of Yoga. I started a beginner's class about 3 or 4 months ago at the recommendation of a personal trainer. He felt like it would help me overall in conditioning and in flexibility and might help prevent injury. And I feel like it has helped me a lot. But tonight the usual instructor is off on vacation and so I decided to take this evening off as well.
I also had to take my bike in to be repaired tonight. On Monday, I had a 15 to 20 mile bike scheduled AND had a flat at mile 2. Of course I didnt have a spare tube or even tools on hand to change the tire. So Monday ended up being an off evening and I went to Captain's Quarters for dinner with my Mom instead.
It's looking like a light week this week. Next week will probably have to be a little bit tougher.
That's about all for now. Feel free to make comments if you like. I am happy to review them and answer any questions ALSO, if you are experienced in triathlons and training for triathlons and would like to offer advice, I would love it.
Have a great evening!
David
Today, I swam 2250m consisting of my now standard 450m warm up (100m breast, 400m kickboarding and 50m breast), followed by 1800m consisting of 4- 450m sets (consisting of 2-200m free style and 50m breast)
It took about an hour and 15 minutes which was kind of stressful today because by the time I changed, swam, showered, changed again, it took about more than an hour and a half today. THEN, I almost immediately need something to eat. Because I spent a long lunch swimming, I get a sandwich for carryout and eat (very quickly at my desk) Normally, I try to swim about 1600m at lunch which is about a mile. But as I increase distance, I end up with some days with much longer swims that I need to work in some how. This is very much a work in progress and I am making adjustments as I learn what I am doing. I may need to switch at least some of the swims to early mornings before work.
Luckily I didn't cramp up like I did last Saturday when I also swam 2250m and I also didn't collapse for several hours due to insufficient food and fluid, (also like last Saturday) So, I am counting it as a win for the day!
Normally on Wednesday, I also do an hour of Yoga. I started a beginner's class about 3 or 4 months ago at the recommendation of a personal trainer. He felt like it would help me overall in conditioning and in flexibility and might help prevent injury. And I feel like it has helped me a lot. But tonight the usual instructor is off on vacation and so I decided to take this evening off as well.
I also had to take my bike in to be repaired tonight. On Monday, I had a 15 to 20 mile bike scheduled AND had a flat at mile 2. Of course I didnt have a spare tube or even tools on hand to change the tire. So Monday ended up being an off evening and I went to Captain's Quarters for dinner with my Mom instead.
It's looking like a light week this week. Next week will probably have to be a little bit tougher.
That's about all for now. Feel free to make comments if you like. I am happy to review them and answer any questions ALSO, if you are experienced in triathlons and training for triathlons and would like to offer advice, I would love it.
Have a great evening!
David
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Put Up or Shut Up Time
First of all, don't worry that I am going to be posting multiple times every day. I promise that I will not be making a habit of that. HOWEVER, today there was something noteworthy. My registration form for the triathlon was in the mail when I got home. SO, as the title says, it is time to put up or shut up. I should get the registration in this week, hopefully tomorrow. I was surprised to find that there is a limit of 325 entries. The date will be August 4, 2012. It is a Sprint Triathlon.
If you are new to this, as I am, there are various levels of triathlons. A Sprint Triathlon is a shorter distance. In this case, it consists of a half mile swim, a 14 mile bike and a 3.1 mile (5K) run. As I mentioned in my first post, I have completed 2 marathons this year, so I have not been worried about the run or the bike. My big obstacle is the swim.
If you are interested, there are also Olympic Triathlons, Half Iron Man Triathlons and Full Iron Man Triathlons. The Olympic Triathlon is a 1500m swim (not quite a mile), a 40K bike (about 25 miles) and a 10K run (about 6.2 miles). A Half Iron Man is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a half marathon (13.1 miles). AND the big one is the Full Iron Man Triathlon, which is what the type they do in Kona and consists of 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and a full marathon (26.2 miles). This is also what those 70.3 and 140.6 stickers mean - 70.3 is the total mileage of a Half Iron Man and 140.6 is the total mileage of a Full Iron Man.
AND since I already promised not to do another post today, I will interject my training for the day - At lunch I swam 1800m consisting of 100m breast warm up, 300m kick board, 50m breast, then 3 sets of (2-200m free style, 50m breast). It took me a little over an hour to do this. I should also say that I am in about my 5th week of swimming. Most days when I swim, I swim about a mile (1600m). I dont swim every day. Most weeks I swim 4 days. After work, I had planned to run but because the outside temperature was about 96 degrees, I opted to go to the gym and use the stairmaster for 30 minutes (3.4 miles according to the stairmaster) instead.
So that's it for today. If you have questions or comments, I will try to respond. ALSO, if you are already a triathlete and have suggestions or advise, I am ALL EARS.
Have a great night, everyone!
David
If you are new to this, as I am, there are various levels of triathlons. A Sprint Triathlon is a shorter distance. In this case, it consists of a half mile swim, a 14 mile bike and a 3.1 mile (5K) run. As I mentioned in my first post, I have completed 2 marathons this year, so I have not been worried about the run or the bike. My big obstacle is the swim.
If you are interested, there are also Olympic Triathlons, Half Iron Man Triathlons and Full Iron Man Triathlons. The Olympic Triathlon is a 1500m swim (not quite a mile), a 40K bike (about 25 miles) and a 10K run (about 6.2 miles). A Half Iron Man is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a half marathon (13.1 miles). AND the big one is the Full Iron Man Triathlon, which is what the type they do in Kona and consists of 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and a full marathon (26.2 miles). This is also what those 70.3 and 140.6 stickers mean - 70.3 is the total mileage of a Half Iron Man and 140.6 is the total mileage of a Full Iron Man.
AND since I already promised not to do another post today, I will interject my training for the day - At lunch I swam 1800m consisting of 100m breast warm up, 300m kick board, 50m breast, then 3 sets of (2-200m free style, 50m breast). It took me a little over an hour to do this. I should also say that I am in about my 5th week of swimming. Most days when I swim, I swim about a mile (1600m). I dont swim every day. Most weeks I swim 4 days. After work, I had planned to run but because the outside temperature was about 96 degrees, I opted to go to the gym and use the stairmaster for 30 minutes (3.4 miles according to the stairmaster) instead.
So that's it for today. If you have questions or comments, I will try to respond. ALSO, if you are already a triathlete and have suggestions or advise, I am ALL EARS.
Have a great night, everyone!
David
Don't Blame Me
You might say that this blog is the result of a second mid-life crisis. A couple of years ago, all the kids were gone and for the first time in about 27 years, I found that I had some spare time on my hands. I also found that I had a pretty healthy gut, some pretty bad digestion problems and aches and pains ALL the time from basically doing nothing. So, it occurred to me that if I am going to hurt any way, it might as well be from doing something and I joined a gym.
For now, I will save you the "blow by blow" details of that but I found that i was a lot more likely to keep to a program if I had a goal in mind and I signed up for some runs. (This part is a little like "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie." ) Anyway, one thing led to another and in the last year, I have run 2 marathons which has now led me to decide to try a triathlon.
I have been amazed at how many people ask about the marathons and the triathlon. If anything, at the onset, I was inclined NOT to blog about these endeavors probably for a few reasons. First, it almost seems cliche. Second, I wasnt sure I wanted to face public embarassment in case I screwed up.
Now if you want to blame anyone for yet another blog about marathons, triathlons, and I guess fitness in general, you may direct your wrath toward Dave Leonard. Dave is sort of an "out-law" of mine. His son is my son-in-law. I recently discovered that Dave apparently asks my daughter and son-in-law about my marathons and about my triathlon training. (Here is the part where you get to blame him) AND he recently asked them if there was a blog where he could follow my training. So, So, So, So, here it is.
BTW - I have read some blogs from some folks who are basically amatuer professional athletes. They are truly amazing and I have to admit I suffer from envy of them. I'm not like that. I have run 2 marathons and I expect I will probably run some more but I am never going to win my age group. But that is not really the point anyway. The point is that 3 years ago, I never would have guessed it would even be possible for me to do a marathon and now I have done 2.
I am not a trainer nor do I consider myself to be an expert, but I have done a lot of training. I am happy to respond to comments or questions if offered.
ANYWAY, enough about me for now. There will be plenty of time to get sick of me as time goes by.
Have a great day!
David
For now, I will save you the "blow by blow" details of that but I found that i was a lot more likely to keep to a program if I had a goal in mind and I signed up for some runs. (This part is a little like "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie." ) Anyway, one thing led to another and in the last year, I have run 2 marathons which has now led me to decide to try a triathlon.
I have been amazed at how many people ask about the marathons and the triathlon. If anything, at the onset, I was inclined NOT to blog about these endeavors probably for a few reasons. First, it almost seems cliche. Second, I wasnt sure I wanted to face public embarassment in case I screwed up.
Now if you want to blame anyone for yet another blog about marathons, triathlons, and I guess fitness in general, you may direct your wrath toward Dave Leonard. Dave is sort of an "out-law" of mine. His son is my son-in-law. I recently discovered that Dave apparently asks my daughter and son-in-law about my marathons and about my triathlon training. (Here is the part where you get to blame him) AND he recently asked them if there was a blog where he could follow my training. So, So, So, So, here it is.
BTW - I have read some blogs from some folks who are basically amatuer professional athletes. They are truly amazing and I have to admit I suffer from envy of them. I'm not like that. I have run 2 marathons and I expect I will probably run some more but I am never going to win my age group. But that is not really the point anyway. The point is that 3 years ago, I never would have guessed it would even be possible for me to do a marathon and now I have done 2.
I am not a trainer nor do I consider myself to be an expert, but I have done a lot of training. I am happy to respond to comments or questions if offered.
ANYWAY, enough about me for now. There will be plenty of time to get sick of me as time goes by.
Have a great day!
David
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