Wednesday, August 22, 2012

A triathlon seems like the logical next step...

Before I get started I just wanted everyone to know that this maybe my last blog post under the blogger website. I've set up an account on wordpress because of their iPad app, but I've not committed to publishing there just yet. Now on to my thoughts.

It has been a very long time since I have posted anything and it has not been for a lack of ideas or blog titles that flirt in my head, it has more to do with writing the entire blog in my head and then forgetting it by the time I sit down to write. Today was no different as I wrote two blog posts in my head and what you have here is a completely new blog post. I have been training as you are all aware, because I train a lot for a lot of races and this year has been no exception.

My fall race calender has quickly filled up so much so that I had to pull back from some races I wanted to do and incorporate some cheaper local races into my schedule. To that end I decided to do a triathlon. Many of you may think why a triathlon? Well, to be honest I've done a lot of running. I've run everything from a 5k to an ultra-marathon distance (which has not been repeated) and I was looking for another challenge. I found that challenge after running the Turtle Crawl 10k and watched as the triathlon participants attacked their race. Yes I said attacked.

The idea of doing in essence three races in a row appealed to me as a challenge that could help take my fitness to the next level and in many ways it has, however, my slacker nature has also kept me from reaching my full potential. I guess it's because I keep thinking of this as a test run to see if I "will like the sport". I already know I will the challenge is just exciting!

Since I am always looking for a new way to push myself because the Goofy Race and a Half was not enough for me apparently, I settled on this path. I don't doubt that I can finish the race and I know I won't come anywhere near the podium on this, I don't have the bike for it truthfully, I'm only able to get about 13 miles an hour out of my bike and I know that there will be people there killing the bike portion.

It will be enough for me to finish the race and take this experience and incorporate a lot of what I will learn into my planning for ongoing training. I'm a runner at heart and I know that and I love race challenges and yes I plan on doing the Goofy again this year or then again maybe I'll get froggy and finish the unofficial "Dopey"; that's an insider term for doing all three races on marathon weekend. It is my belief that this triathlon will motivate me to continue to improve my overall stamina and eventually buy a better bike that may help to put me on the podium next year. Do I think I will do another one after this... you better believe it! Do I know when? Not right now, but I would like to get one more in before the season ends and the weather turns cold and my eyes focus on Disney.