It was just about a year ago that I decided to do my first triathlon. During and after my ride yesterday, I thought about how much I have accomplished since then:
1. Swimming. A year ago, I couldn't swim a length without stopping. That is 25 yards. I would watch people who could go back and forth with envy. Now, though not particularly fast, I'm able to swim fairly efficiently. I've logged close to 5 miles in the pool just this month, with 40 minute workouts usually covering over a mile.
2. Cycling. I hadn't owned a bike since the Huffy Mom & Dad got me for my birthday when I was... 9 (I also recall Andy somehow destroying one of the wheels on it). My biking memories were mainly comprised of hating the one day each cross country season when Horton would have us bike ~7 miles instead of running. That workout always killed my legs. Yesterday, I actually enjoyed riding ~60 miles, and feel fine today.
3. Running. Well... I'm not very fast anymore. It was hard for me to keep in 5k shape without a team to run workouts with and to push the pace. However, I have definitely found new life in the realm of endurance running. Running a marathon was something I never thought I would do.
It's now exactly 6 months until the Pigman Half-Ironman. I've thought a lot about the race, from the individual legs, the race as a whole, transitions, nutrition... There are many things that go into a ~5.5 hour race. On the whole, I feel really confident. I can do each leg individually right now. 6 months gives me a lot of time to work on putting them all together, as well as the nutrition and hydration that goes along with that.
Anyway, I have 6 more weeks of 'pre-base' base training before I start the base training of a 20 week half program I plan on loosely following. I'll keep you posted with my progress.
4 comments:
Congrats on your progress, G, and good luck in your training. You can do it!
Yeah, Greg!
I know you can do it, too!
Don't forget to do your schoolwork!
(You know I had to say it, I'm your mom!)
Mom
I wish you every bit of luck I can, and you're a braver man than I. My wife and I are signed up for the sprint distance Pigman in June; doing our very best not to look like fools. We might try a half-iron in a few years. Train safe and again, good luck!
Greg,
I read your blog, that is exciting. I was planning on doing this race as my first tri as well. But, a wedding came up. I found another one here in the Twin Cities to do. I had registered with my friend and now we are looking to transfer our registrations to anyone interested. Do you know of anyone that would want to do the race that is wait listed or would like an entry? We would sell them at face value ($60). If you can pass this on I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Mike Strong
mike_strong@hotmail.com
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