The impending ending of winter break is knocking at my door and I recognize I've become too comfortable. It's been nice swimming in the morning and not having to rush off to work. I'm ok with this though. I miss my students and it's getting to be time to get back to the reality of my additional responsibilities. It will be a new groove, but what I know well. A few more days to savor and I'll answer the call of the grind.
My next order of business is a run in light drizzle and an uncharateriscally warm 48 degrees. Then if circumstances allow I will work on the Road to Ironman Louisville, Episode 4.
I hope you have taken the time to read the interviews below. There are more to come.
Peace,
~Sam
My Book
Find at Amazon.com
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Ironman Louisville: Interview with age-group athlete Jillian O'Malley
A little over a year ago Ms. Jillian O’Malley (25-29 age group) from Hinesville, GA was diagnosed as morbidly obese. She weighed around 286 pounds and was headed in a direction of destruction. After determining that enough was enough, she decided to change her life’s direction and undergo a surgery that would assist her in transforming not only her waistline, but her way of being. After only being involved in triathlon for one year, she is determined to take on one of sports’ most challenging events. In August of 2011, she will be standing on the starting line of Ironman Louisville. She did us the honor of responding to the interview questions I put forth, and this is what she had to say. For her complete story, I highly recommend visiting her website and definitely check out her year-long transformation: http://theadventuresofashrinkingfatchick.blogspot.com/
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
JO: I needed a sport to give me the drive to keep training. I started running again and doing running races after I lost some weight, but I wanted more. I had been a runner in the past, and knew it was easy to get burnt out on just running, so doing three sports sounded like a fun challenge and a way to mix up training to stay fit.
TS: What is your best discipline?
JO: The run is my strongest discipline due to my previous experience with running.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
JO: It’s a feeling I have. I watch it on TV and I want to be there, racing the race and suffering with everyone. I read the race reports on Beginner Triathlete.com and want the experience. The first time I heard what the iron distances were, I got excited, and everyone else around me simply said “That’s nuts, I have no desire to ever do something like that.” Well, I want to do that, and I have the drive to do the training.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
JO: I feel ready to take on an Ironman this coming year, and I didn’t want to wait until 2012. The St. George and Louisville Ironman events were the only ones with slots available, and because I live in Georgia, I chose Louisville for logistical reasons.
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
JO: The hills on the bike course will be challenging because it is pancake flat where I live, so I have no hills to train on.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day in general?
JO: To be able to find my rhythm quickly during the swim, my weakest sport, to not blow up on the bike, and then have plenty left for the run.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
JO: For swimming it would be my goggles. On the bike I would say my Profile Design aerodrink set-up. For running, it has to be my Garmin 110, since I have come to depend on it.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any,inspire you?
JO: Chrissie Wellington. I love watching her race. She is a wonderful ambassador for the sport and I admire how she always has that genuine smile on her face.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
JO: I really want to do the full Vineman (Iron distance) one day. My husband is from that area, and he has a huge family, so it would be awesome to do the race and have a 40 person cheering section.
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
JO: Probably the skates. It would be really hard to pedal the big wheel as an adult, plus the skates would work your thighs.
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes inT2?
JO: Yikes, both would be pretty bad, but I’ll go with losing running shoes. I got injured from running in minimalistic shoes, so the barefoot running movement it not for me. I could try my best to wing it without cycling shoes and hope I make the time cut-off.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
JO: The finisher’s medal. T-shirts get worn out and eventually get thrown out or turned into rags. The medal will last and I can explain to my kids when they get older what it took to train for and finish the race, and then pass it down to them.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
JO: Any classic rock song.
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman? (Given they are not in attendance).
JO: My mom and dad.
Jillian has made her own personal transformation and through her efforts she is living the Ironman creed of “Anything is possible.” She has a great story that is experiencing a happy…middle. I can’t say ending because she has so much more she can accomplish.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
JO: I needed a sport to give me the drive to keep training. I started running again and doing running races after I lost some weight, but I wanted more. I had been a runner in the past, and knew it was easy to get burnt out on just running, so doing three sports sounded like a fun challenge and a way to mix up training to stay fit.
TS: What is your best discipline?
JO: The run is my strongest discipline due to my previous experience with running.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
JO: It’s a feeling I have. I watch it on TV and I want to be there, racing the race and suffering with everyone. I read the race reports on Beginner Triathlete.com and want the experience. The first time I heard what the iron distances were, I got excited, and everyone else around me simply said “That’s nuts, I have no desire to ever do something like that.” Well, I want to do that, and I have the drive to do the training.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
JO: I feel ready to take on an Ironman this coming year, and I didn’t want to wait until 2012. The St. George and Louisville Ironman events were the only ones with slots available, and because I live in Georgia, I chose Louisville for logistical reasons.
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
JO: The hills on the bike course will be challenging because it is pancake flat where I live, so I have no hills to train on.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day in general?
JO: To be able to find my rhythm quickly during the swim, my weakest sport, to not blow up on the bike, and then have plenty left for the run.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
JO: For swimming it would be my goggles. On the bike I would say my Profile Design aerodrink set-up. For running, it has to be my Garmin 110, since I have come to depend on it.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any,inspire you?
JO: Chrissie Wellington. I love watching her race. She is a wonderful ambassador for the sport and I admire how she always has that genuine smile on her face.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
JO: I really want to do the full Vineman (Iron distance) one day. My husband is from that area, and he has a huge family, so it would be awesome to do the race and have a 40 person cheering section.
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
JO: Probably the skates. It would be really hard to pedal the big wheel as an adult, plus the skates would work your thighs.
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes inT2?
JO: Yikes, both would be pretty bad, but I’ll go with losing running shoes. I got injured from running in minimalistic shoes, so the barefoot running movement it not for me. I could try my best to wing it without cycling shoes and hope I make the time cut-off.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
JO: The finisher’s medal. T-shirts get worn out and eventually get thrown out or turned into rags. The medal will last and I can explain to my kids when they get older what it took to train for and finish the race, and then pass it down to them.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
JO: Any classic rock song.
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman? (Given they are not in attendance).
JO: My mom and dad.
Jillian has made her own personal transformation and through her efforts she is living the Ironman creed of “Anything is possible.” She has a great story that is experiencing a happy…middle. I can’t say ending because she has so much more she can accomplish.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Ironman Louisville Athlete Interviews
I hope you enjoyed the interview with Steven. I've got seven more interviews with Ironman Louisville entrants waiting in the wings. I will tell you that the questions are the same because I sent out the questions for anyone interested to answer. I was fortunate enough to have a positive response and I look forward to sharing more stories from these incredible athletes in the weeks to come. Unless I get a ton more, my intention is to post one a week so those giving responses get their due. However, if I get a great deal more, I will post them more frequently. Enjoy.
Peace,
~Sam
Peace,
~Sam
Friday, December 24, 2010
Ironman Louisville: Interview with Age-group Triathlete Steven Creek
This is an interview with Steven Creek from Florence, SC. He's in the
25-29 age group, and is an accompished triathlon veteran who has only been competing for four years.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
SC: Like many others, I saw Kona on television. I was already a runner, but was getting bored and wanted to spice it up a bit. Triathlon was a good fit.
TS: What is your best discipline?
SC: The run because of my previous experience.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
SC: I think I can qualify for Kona eventually. Qualifying at IM Louisville isn’t my goal, but isn’t completely out of reach either. I’m taking Louisville as practice. It will be my second Ironman. I did Florida last year and my only goal was to finish. I finished in 11-hours and left a lot on the course mainly because I didn’t know how hard I could push. With that in mind, I enter Louisville trying to learn more about just how hard I can go without ‘bonking’. Tentatively, I’m planning to attempt to qualify in Cozumel 2012. The more Ironman races I get under my belt before then the better.
TS: That's really impressive going 11-hours in your first IM.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
SC: I didn’t want to do IM Florida again, and IM Louisville is also within driving distance for me. It was also nice to be able to register online since it doesn’t sell out on site.
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
SC: Biking is already my weakest leg. I’m definitely concerned about the hills on the Louisville bike course. In Florence, I have zero hills to train on. A bridge overpass is literally the biggest incline around. This means I’m left with three options. 1 - Drive to find hills to ride on. 2 – Mock hill workouts on the trainer. 3 – Don’t train on hills. Number three really isn’t an option for me. I’ll be doing a combination of 1 & 2.
TS: That is quite a challenge.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day in general?
SC: As was my hope during my first Ironman, best case scenario is to feel good coming off of the bike. It's going to be a more difficult accomplishment this time around however, with the hills and me pushing harder than I did in Florida. I’d love to clock off 8-minute miles for the marathon, but we’ll see what happens on race day.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
SC: For swimming, my goggles are most important. I really worry about getting the kicked off during the swim. I have them under my cap just in case. I have prescription goggles and would be in trouble should I lose them. The bike and the run have the same answer. Nutrition. I simply cannot perform without it. From the moment I exit the water until about mile 23 of the run, I need liquids and I need calories. Without either one, my day is as good as over.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any, inspire you?
SC: Well, I really feel like I’m on the bandwagon with these answers but Chrissie Wellington and Macca. Chrissie because she seems to win so effortlessly and is a true ambassador for the sport. Macca because he is such a gutsy competitor. He is very smart and leaves it all on the course. One of my favorite parts about triathlon, particularly Ironman distance, is the 17 hour finishers. I feel like everyone who crosses the finish line (and many that don’t) are inspiring regardless of the time it takes them. It’s a phenomenon that I’ve felt in no other sport but triathlon.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
SC: There are two races that are on the bucket list. One is Escape from Alcatraz. The other is a less known race called S.O.S. triathlon. It's in upstate New York where I was born and raised. The race starts with a 30 mile, mostly uphill ride. Then it goes run, swim, run, swim, run, swim, run. It’s a unique race that I’ve always wanted to do. From what I’ve read its comparable to a half iron distance race. Also, if I ever return to focus on my running roots I’d like to run Boston.
TS: The S.O.S. race sounds more like an S.O.L race if you don't prepare well for it.
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or a strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
SC: Definitely the big wheel. Roller skating is too similar to running so your legs would be fried once you reached T2. Plus the big wheel is more aero!
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes in T2?
SC: Losing the running shoes would be worse for sure. I can bike in running shoes, but I can’t run in cycling shoes.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
SC: For me I prefer the medal. I have too many T-Shirts already. And for a race like ironman, I like to have something I can show off in the house somewhere.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
SC: Honestly, I get so into racing that I really don’t hear anything. Typically I don’t even hear my loved ones cheering unless I see them. It’s rather unfortunate.
TS: Wow, that's some lazer focus you've got going there.
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman?(Given they are not in attendance)
SC: I’m not sure who all is coming to Louisville yet, so I’ll take a stab and say my sister. She is extremely supportive and would love to be there, but it’s a long commute from her home in Alaska. I’m sure she’ll be watching if there is live web coverage and she’ll probably be the first I call.
Good luck to Steven in his training and racing. I have a feeling that if the stars are aligned and the weather is just right, he just might be standing in line to have his ticket to Kona punched earlier than he thinks.
25-29 age group, and is an accompished triathlon veteran who has only been competing for four years.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
SC: Like many others, I saw Kona on television. I was already a runner, but was getting bored and wanted to spice it up a bit. Triathlon was a good fit.
TS: What is your best discipline?
SC: The run because of my previous experience.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
SC: I think I can qualify for Kona eventually. Qualifying at IM Louisville isn’t my goal, but isn’t completely out of reach either. I’m taking Louisville as practice. It will be my second Ironman. I did Florida last year and my only goal was to finish. I finished in 11-hours and left a lot on the course mainly because I didn’t know how hard I could push. With that in mind, I enter Louisville trying to learn more about just how hard I can go without ‘bonking’. Tentatively, I’m planning to attempt to qualify in Cozumel 2012. The more Ironman races I get under my belt before then the better.
TS: That's really impressive going 11-hours in your first IM.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
SC: I didn’t want to do IM Florida again, and IM Louisville is also within driving distance for me. It was also nice to be able to register online since it doesn’t sell out on site.
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
SC: Biking is already my weakest leg. I’m definitely concerned about the hills on the Louisville bike course. In Florence, I have zero hills to train on. A bridge overpass is literally the biggest incline around. This means I’m left with three options. 1 - Drive to find hills to ride on. 2 – Mock hill workouts on the trainer. 3 – Don’t train on hills. Number three really isn’t an option for me. I’ll be doing a combination of 1 & 2.
TS: That is quite a challenge.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day in general?
SC: As was my hope during my first Ironman, best case scenario is to feel good coming off of the bike. It's going to be a more difficult accomplishment this time around however, with the hills and me pushing harder than I did in Florida. I’d love to clock off 8-minute miles for the marathon, but we’ll see what happens on race day.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
SC: For swimming, my goggles are most important. I really worry about getting the kicked off during the swim. I have them under my cap just in case. I have prescription goggles and would be in trouble should I lose them. The bike and the run have the same answer. Nutrition. I simply cannot perform without it. From the moment I exit the water until about mile 23 of the run, I need liquids and I need calories. Without either one, my day is as good as over.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any, inspire you?
SC: Well, I really feel like I’m on the bandwagon with these answers but Chrissie Wellington and Macca. Chrissie because she seems to win so effortlessly and is a true ambassador for the sport. Macca because he is such a gutsy competitor. He is very smart and leaves it all on the course. One of my favorite parts about triathlon, particularly Ironman distance, is the 17 hour finishers. I feel like everyone who crosses the finish line (and many that don’t) are inspiring regardless of the time it takes them. It’s a phenomenon that I’ve felt in no other sport but triathlon.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
SC: There are two races that are on the bucket list. One is Escape from Alcatraz. The other is a less known race called S.O.S. triathlon. It's in upstate New York where I was born and raised. The race starts with a 30 mile, mostly uphill ride. Then it goes run, swim, run, swim, run, swim, run. It’s a unique race that I’ve always wanted to do. From what I’ve read its comparable to a half iron distance race. Also, if I ever return to focus on my running roots I’d like to run Boston.
TS: The S.O.S. race sounds more like an S.O.L race if you don't prepare well for it.
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or a strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
SC: Definitely the big wheel. Roller skating is too similar to running so your legs would be fried once you reached T2. Plus the big wheel is more aero!
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes in T2?
SC: Losing the running shoes would be worse for sure. I can bike in running shoes, but I can’t run in cycling shoes.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
SC: For me I prefer the medal. I have too many T-Shirts already. And for a race like ironman, I like to have something I can show off in the house somewhere.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
SC: Honestly, I get so into racing that I really don’t hear anything. Typically I don’t even hear my loved ones cheering unless I see them. It’s rather unfortunate.
TS: Wow, that's some lazer focus you've got going there.
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman?(Given they are not in attendance)
SC: I’m not sure who all is coming to Louisville yet, so I’ll take a stab and say my sister. She is extremely supportive and would love to be there, but it’s a long commute from her home in Alaska. I’m sure she’ll be watching if there is live web coverage and she’ll probably be the first I call.
Good luck to Steven in his training and racing. I have a feeling that if the stars are aligned and the weather is just right, he just might be standing in line to have his ticket to Kona punched earlier than he thinks.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday Morning
My watch beeped at 4:45 a.m. letting me know it was time to get going to the pool. It was a little bit of a challenge getting out of bed, but not for lack of willingness or excitement. I've been looking forward to my morning swim workouts and was excited to get going. In fact, I woke up at 3:30 a.m. ready to go. Of course this was no good because I needed sleep. It took a while, but I managed to get back to sleep. In fact, ultimately, I fell into a deep sleep, but this caused me to reach for my beeping watch a little groggier than when I woke up naturally. Anyway...I was at the pool by 5:15.
This morning I became a little more proficient with my bilateral breathing. I never expected to be able to be completely comfortable with bilateral breathing overnight, but I will say that it is coming faster than I expected. Having said that, I still have work to do.
This morning I managed the fingertip drag drill, which I couldn't do previously because I was so focused on breathing. This is a sure sign of progress.
I don't usually swim on consecutive days, but I will likely go to the pool again tomorrow because it will be closed the rest of the week. Then I go in next Tuesday to learn some more good swimming from Coach Jodi.
I was going to run right when I got back from the pool, but I decided to wait for it to be light out. It's a safer this way and my schedule isn't requiring me to rush so, I'll be heading out in about an hour. My Achilles felt fine this morning getting out of bed and my fingers are crossed that I'll have a fine running experience as well.
Peace,
~Sam
This morning I became a little more proficient with my bilateral breathing. I never expected to be able to be completely comfortable with bilateral breathing overnight, but I will say that it is coming faster than I expected. Having said that, I still have work to do.
This morning I managed the fingertip drag drill, which I couldn't do previously because I was so focused on breathing. This is a sure sign of progress.
I don't usually swim on consecutive days, but I will likely go to the pool again tomorrow because it will be closed the rest of the week. Then I go in next Tuesday to learn some more good swimming from Coach Jodi.
I was going to run right when I got back from the pool, but I decided to wait for it to be light out. It's a safer this way and my schedule isn't requiring me to rush so, I'll be heading out in about an hour. My Achilles felt fine this morning getting out of bed and my fingers are crossed that I'll have a fine running experience as well.
Peace,
~Sam
Monday, December 20, 2010
Chin Up!
Although it's too early to feel this way because tomorrow may bring different results, mild drepression is starting to set in. My right Achilles was tender and sore yesterday and again today. I'm icing it as I type this and trying to be hopeful that it will be fine for tomorrow's run.
After taking a good long break from running after my season, I thought it would be enough to have my Achilles healthy and strong again. I still think it can be enough, but I have to use caution and be patient. This is difficult however, because I want to start building. Now, I realize I don't have to build too much right now, and I can take more time off if needed, but I would rather not. I would rather be strong and healthy and work toward running the 5/3 Riverbank Run 25k with Maggie in May, but if I need to, I can take more time off and build later. It's just not ideal.
Another thing that's going on is that my brand new, beautiful bike has been in the shop for about a month with some strange locking thing going on. It's frustrating on a variety of levels. I want to ride more to see if the position is right because it's a new position that I didn't feel 100% dialed into prior to having it go in the shop. Furthermore, I don't want my bike giving Village Bike Shop a negative vibe. I don't want them to think, "Oh, that frickin' bike again," when I take it in for something, or if my posiiton needs to be adjusted.
It's time to shift my focus though, because I don't want to allow negativity to consume me.
It is sunny out.
I'm going to have a great ride later on my indoor trainer later while I continue to enjoy the podcasts I regulalry download.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's swim.
GU just came out with a cool new Roctane flavor...Cherry Lime.
By and large, I'm healthy.
I got my Road to Ironman Louisville, Episode 2 out.
The Lions won for the second time in two weeks, and yesterday's win was on the road.
Depression...screw you, chin up baby!
Peace,
~Sam
After taking a good long break from running after my season, I thought it would be enough to have my Achilles healthy and strong again. I still think it can be enough, but I have to use caution and be patient. This is difficult however, because I want to start building. Now, I realize I don't have to build too much right now, and I can take more time off if needed, but I would rather not. I would rather be strong and healthy and work toward running the 5/3 Riverbank Run 25k with Maggie in May, but if I need to, I can take more time off and build later. It's just not ideal.
Another thing that's going on is that my brand new, beautiful bike has been in the shop for about a month with some strange locking thing going on. It's frustrating on a variety of levels. I want to ride more to see if the position is right because it's a new position that I didn't feel 100% dialed into prior to having it go in the shop. Furthermore, I don't want my bike giving Village Bike Shop a negative vibe. I don't want them to think, "Oh, that frickin' bike again," when I take it in for something, or if my posiiton needs to be adjusted.
It's time to shift my focus though, because I don't want to allow negativity to consume me.
It is sunny out.
I'm going to have a great ride later on my indoor trainer later while I continue to enjoy the podcasts I regulalry download.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's swim.
GU just came out with a cool new Roctane flavor...Cherry Lime.
By and large, I'm healthy.
I got my Road to Ironman Louisville, Episode 2 out.
The Lions won for the second time in two weeks, and yesterday's win was on the road.
Depression...screw you, chin up baby!
Peace,
~Sam
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Road to Ironman Louisville, Episode II Thoughts
I am working on episode II, but most of this work has been conceptual rather than actual. I get an idea and then I start feeling too self-conscious about the idea. I don't want to come off as arrogant or self-centered, but I'm not sure I can get around that for the purpose of doing a video log of my journey. I also become self-conscious about giving information that nobody cares about. However, when I listen to the podcasts that I love, I discover they are basically rambling about things may seem like nobody would care about, but there I am finding what they are saying interesting. Furthermore, I need to remind myself that my audiance is actually quite small. However, I don't want that to be an excuse to suck either. Anyway, I am working on many ideas that I have written down. Here are some I can think of off the top of my head...
* A segment on GU products; what they are for and how I use them.
* A segment on who I am as far as triathlon goes (a history of sorts).
* A segment with a shameless plug for my book.
* A segment going over what events I intend to do in 2011.
* A segment of me swimming at the pool.
There are many more, but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Anyway, I am working on episode II. Your thoughts and ideas are welcome.
Peace.
* A segment on GU products; what they are for and how I use them.
* A segment on who I am as far as triathlon goes (a history of sorts).
* A segment with a shameless plug for my book.
* A segment going over what events I intend to do in 2011.
* A segment of me swimming at the pool.
There are many more, but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Anyway, I am working on episode II. Your thoughts and ideas are welcome.
Peace.
More Travel
The last couple days were interesting for different reasons, but they both pointed toward moving in the right direction. Yesterday I ran for the first time since being sidelined in the first week of October with Achilles tendonitis. I am taking a gradual approach, so I walked 2 min./jogged 2 min. x4, for a total of 8 min. running. It was evident right away when I started my first two minutes that it had been a while since my last run. It was rough and awkward, and I was nervous as I monitored my body carefully with every step. The second two minutes of running felt more fluid, which was much sooner than I expected it to. I finished the run feeling like I didn't do much of anything, but I also was both relieved and thrilled that I got through the workout without any issues of note.
Today I got through my 1-hour indoor trainer ride, and because it is a mental challenge for me to get through as few as thirty minutes on the trainer, this was a great success. Anyway, both of these experiences reminded me of how far I still need to go.
I've started swimming sooner than I did last year, but this year I have recruited a swim coach. I start with instruction on Tuesday. Hopefully I will learn to be a little more efficient. I'm nervous about it because I've developed my current habits over the last 15 years. Nevertheless, it's good to be swimming and working on being better.
My new GURU has been in the shop for nearly a month because of a weird glich that was causing my chain to lock-up when going from the big ring to the small ring. I know I'm emotionally attached to this bike, which I've only ridden about six times, because I'm getting increasingly anxious to get it back. Of course part of this anxiety is because I'm not sure my fit is completely dialed in and I want to get on the trainer with it and try to get that ironed out. I'm also anxious for the bike and I to become more like one unit. It takes time to develop this relationship with a new bike and new set-up, and I want to make more progress in this area. I need to know if I can adjust to my current set-up or if I need adjustments.
Anyway, more travel down the road...
Peace.
Today I got through my 1-hour indoor trainer ride, and because it is a mental challenge for me to get through as few as thirty minutes on the trainer, this was a great success. Anyway, both of these experiences reminded me of how far I still need to go.
I've started swimming sooner than I did last year, but this year I have recruited a swim coach. I start with instruction on Tuesday. Hopefully I will learn to be a little more efficient. I'm nervous about it because I've developed my current habits over the last 15 years. Nevertheless, it's good to be swimming and working on being better.
My new GURU has been in the shop for nearly a month because of a weird glich that was causing my chain to lock-up when going from the big ring to the small ring. I know I'm emotionally attached to this bike, which I've only ridden about six times, because I'm getting increasingly anxious to get it back. Of course part of this anxiety is because I'm not sure my fit is completely dialed in and I want to get on the trainer with it and try to get that ironed out. I'm also anxious for the bike and I to become more like one unit. It takes time to develop this relationship with a new bike and new set-up, and I want to make more progress in this area. I need to know if I can adjust to my current set-up or if I need adjustments.
Anyway, more travel down the road...
Peace.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
So, Are You Training for Anything Right Now?
When I am perpetually training for something, it can sometimes be challenging for me when a well-intending, but non-triathlete asks me,
"So, are you training for anything right now?"
Even when I'm in the 4-6 week period called the "off season," where I don't do much of anything except let my body heal, recover, and prepare to rebuild, I am training for something. Granted that something may be several months away, but I am training. It just so happens that my training calls for sitting on my butt. However, that doesn't mean my thoughts are not consumed with what lies ahead. It does not mean I haven't started making preparations of one kind or another. By this time I've already established my possible schedule of events for the next season and I've changed it six times over the last three months. I've also ordered tires, tubes, ear plugs, goggles, and other items I'm going to need to get going on my quest. In addition, I've laid out my training plan for the year and have altered it repeatedly based on the many articles I've read in magazines, books I've scoured, the on-line resources I've tapped into, and the suggestions I've received from informed friends. Am I training for something? Yeah, I'm always training for something.
Of course this leaves me with the obvious next step, which is answering the question. I could simply say,
"No, not right now."
This answer is usually followed up with a response (given that we're heading into a Michigan winter) such as,
"Yeah, you probably can't really do anything right now anyway huh?"
At this point, depending on my mood, I either respond with,
"Right."
This is the simple answer that can quickly lead to the end of the conversation. However, sometimes I'll respond by saying,
"Well, actually, I'll start lifting weights, swimming, cycling, and running pretty soon."
Then the person usually comes back with something like,
"Oh, but you don't ride or run outside do you?"
Then I feel like I should explain that I generally do my cycling on an indoor trainer, that I do cycle outside if it's at least 30-something degrees, the roads are dry, and the wind isn't too much. In addition, I tell them that I run outside pretty much all the time regardless of the weather. This response can lead to all sorts of conversations that ofen begin with such thing as,
"Doesn't running in the cold freeze your lungs?"
Or,
"I don't know how you run in that stuff."
Or,
"Is that safe? It doesn't seem very safe to me."
Or,
"I could never do that."
There is nothing wrong with these responses, in fact, some people are genuinely curious about the way things work. If I'm in the right mood and the timing is right, I'm actually very happy to talk about it. When it's most challenging is when somebody brings this up in a passing conversation or in a situation that I know there won't be enough time to do the topic justice. If this happens though, I usually stick to, "No, not right now," and "Right," as my answers. I feel like I'm not telling the complete truth, but generally, that's enough for the inquisitive person anyway.
Who knows, maybe next time when a non-triathlete asks me,
"So, are you training for anything right now?"
I'll say,
"Yes, I'm on the road to Ironman Louisville."
Peace.
"So, are you training for anything right now?"
Even when I'm in the 4-6 week period called the "off season," where I don't do much of anything except let my body heal, recover, and prepare to rebuild, I am training for something. Granted that something may be several months away, but I am training. It just so happens that my training calls for sitting on my butt. However, that doesn't mean my thoughts are not consumed with what lies ahead. It does not mean I haven't started making preparations of one kind or another. By this time I've already established my possible schedule of events for the next season and I've changed it six times over the last three months. I've also ordered tires, tubes, ear plugs, goggles, and other items I'm going to need to get going on my quest. In addition, I've laid out my training plan for the year and have altered it repeatedly based on the many articles I've read in magazines, books I've scoured, the on-line resources I've tapped into, and the suggestions I've received from informed friends. Am I training for something? Yeah, I'm always training for something.
Of course this leaves me with the obvious next step, which is answering the question. I could simply say,
"No, not right now."
This answer is usually followed up with a response (given that we're heading into a Michigan winter) such as,
"Yeah, you probably can't really do anything right now anyway huh?"
At this point, depending on my mood, I either respond with,
"Right."
This is the simple answer that can quickly lead to the end of the conversation. However, sometimes I'll respond by saying,
"Well, actually, I'll start lifting weights, swimming, cycling, and running pretty soon."
Then the person usually comes back with something like,
"Oh, but you don't ride or run outside do you?"
Then I feel like I should explain that I generally do my cycling on an indoor trainer, that I do cycle outside if it's at least 30-something degrees, the roads are dry, and the wind isn't too much. In addition, I tell them that I run outside pretty much all the time regardless of the weather. This response can lead to all sorts of conversations that ofen begin with such thing as,
"Doesn't running in the cold freeze your lungs?"
Or,
"I don't know how you run in that stuff."
Or,
"Is that safe? It doesn't seem very safe to me."
Or,
"I could never do that."
There is nothing wrong with these responses, in fact, some people are genuinely curious about the way things work. If I'm in the right mood and the timing is right, I'm actually very happy to talk about it. When it's most challenging is when somebody brings this up in a passing conversation or in a situation that I know there won't be enough time to do the topic justice. If this happens though, I usually stick to, "No, not right now," and "Right," as my answers. I feel like I'm not telling the complete truth, but generally, that's enough for the inquisitive person anyway.
Who knows, maybe next time when a non-triathlete asks me,
"So, are you training for anything right now?"
I'll say,
"Yes, I'm on the road to Ironman Louisville."
Peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)