I’m not exactly sure what I just did…

                                                 

I’m not exactly sure what I just did…

I work well with deadlines and with goals.  Ten years ago I said I was going to run a marathon every year for the next ten years.  Here I am ten years later, trying to figure out where I will run my tenth marathon.  Exciting. 

Over the last ten years I’ve figured out that just running was a little too one dimensional for me and I needed to switch things up in my training.  In 2002, my wife was pregnant with our first, so I got some extra training time, and began participating in triathlons.  First with sprint triathlons, the distances of which are approximately (in order) an 800 meter swim (1/2 mile in open water), 12 mile bike and 5k run.  Over the past six years I have completed numerous sprint triathlons and a few Olympic distance triathlons which are a 1.5k swim(about a mile), 40k bike (about 26 miles) and 10k run (just over 6 miles).

Triathlons are awesome.  If you break down a sprint tri, the distances are so doable, but putting it all together is another story.  You basically jump in a lake, swim and come out running into a “transition area” where you parked your bike before the race.  You then peel off your wetsuit, throw on a helmet and bike shoes, run out of the transition area, hop on your bike and ride ride ride.  When that’s over you run your bike back into transition, lose the helmet, throw on your running shoes and hit the road running.

Throughout this process you can’t for get to drink and eat as much as your body will allow.

Did I say awesome?  You’re either going to have to take my word or try it for yourself.

Quick story:

Allison and I went out with our friends Lauren and Jeb.  Allison and I were doing the Anchor Bay Triathlon 2 weeks later and told Jeb he should join us.  Jeb is in good shape, but by no means had he ever trained for a triathlon.  Jeb borrowed an old bike of mine, and showed up race day ready to roll.  He pounded out a great race, and actually enjoyed it.  I don’t recommend this for everyone one, but it can be done.   

Here’s my point, April 23, 2009 rundetroit.com is hosting a SWIM-BIKE-RUN Triathlon Clinic at the Huntington Woods Rec Center.  Checkout Allison’s blog below.  We’re gonna talk about the races we’re doing this summer and get you ready for yours.  Even if your just curious, come and get some info and collect a goodie bag.

Oh, back to when I said, I’m not exactly sure what I just did…

Well Allison is pregnant again, and I’m taking on another challenge to do a ½ Ironman Triathlon (1.2 mile swim, 56.2 mile bike, 13.1 run)….like I said, not exactly sure what I just did.

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