So apparently I’m doing a triathlon in April. I’ve resisted long enough. I have decent relationships with swimming, biking, and running, but the thought of doing them in succession and around other people who are trying to do them faster has never really appealed to me.

But this time, instead of my usual “well maybe next time…” I decided to jump on board.  I need something to train for… Something that’ll motivate me to get on a good training schedule.  Something to look forward to and get excited about.

So April 27, here I come.  The HITS triathlon series has several different levels, from beginner, sprint, olympic, half and full options.  I’m starting light, so 750 meter swim, 12.4 mile bike, 3.2 mile run.  Although in the hill country of Texas, I’d better get started training on some hills.  Like.  Now.

Fortunately I have some good resources at Atomic; more experienced triathletes, a former collegiate swimmer turned swim coach, cyclists, runners, current/former competitors of all kinds (from crossfit to jujitsu, figure competitor to army ranger), sport specific chiropractors, and basically all around mentally fit badasses. Lots of advice and motivation to not chump out during training.

And a lot of motivation to add something to my training regimen.  Try something challenging.  Try a new first…

Source: Photo by United States Armed Forces (Defense.gov News Photo 090530-N-1722M-677.jpg) via WikiCommons

And hey, if guys like these are gonna be racing…

…this might not be my last.

The Social Cycling club I joined has Saturday rides to help get me stronger and get to know some of the trails and good routes around town.  And keeping up with other people from the gym who are training for the same race.  Fortunately there is a public swimming pool a mile from my house.  I have no excuses…

Training Schedule January:

Strength and Conditioning – Atomic Athlete 4x/week

Swim – 30 minutes 2x/week

Bike – 1 long (10 mile+ bike)/week

– 2 short (1-5 miles)/week

Run – 2x/week

Source: (DHL Triathlon Mission Bay 2008.jpg) via WikiCommons

Source: Photo by lucyllas (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyllas/639808878/in/photostream/) via Flickr

This is what I got for the next 2 weeks as I iron out the details.

I’m getting excited…

All right Tuesday I got you.

The post My First Triathlon: Registration for the HITS Tri Sprint appeared first on Today I Will Be Fit.

Oh me oh my. My triathlon is in 2 weeks and I’m getting nervous!

PREP

• TRANSITIONS:  First bike-run transition last week.  JELLY LEGS!  And not a good idea to bring my hydration pack (that I bought unknowingly in a MENS size, thanks, unknowledgable guy in the sporting goods section with the great idea to fit a 5’3” pint sized female into the biggest man size Osprey in the store) because it chaffed up my back where my racerback tank didn’t cover my shoulder blades.  Good to know for race day!

• GEAR: Bought some MUCH needed running shoes and am giving them two weeks to break in.

WARDROBE:  Shopped online for some tri-shorts and a runner’s belt with loops – I figure I can use the running shorts on longer bike rides if I never do another tri, and I can always use a belt-purse for all the unnecessary accessories I “need” when I hit the outdoors.  I’ll just rock a wicking sports bra and swim in the shorts –  if this is something I want to do again, I’ll accessorize properly.  #dontcare

TRAINING

• STRENGTH & CONDITIONING:  Just finished a strength cycle that focused on squats and muscular endurance (sprints, sled pushes); about to start a work capacity cycle focused on running/speed.  OH GREAT!  They know just what I need

Atomic Athlete – sprints

• BIKING:  2-3x/week biking to the gym (5.5 miles each way); one bike-run transition per week until Tri; one long bike ride (12+ miles) per week until Tri.  Check one for Tuesday bike to gym! Fortunately, I’ve become a much stronger rider in the past few months. When

• RUNNING:  Starting a running cycle at the gym, in addition will run 5k three times before Tri.  I’ve been integrating POSE running techniques taught by a local badass Valerie Hunt and in the past year and a half since I’ve learned about it, minimalist shoes have been my go-to and I’ve worked on my form.  From the town lake shoulder to feeling light, fast, and airy, the results have been significant and the pain I used to feel in my knees is gone.  That being said, I need to work on adding a few more miles in KEEPING GOOD FORM the whole time.  Anytime I feel my shoulders hunch and fatigue starts creating the notorious “Town Lake Shuffle” I stop and walk until I can run correctly.  Form over distance!

• SWIMMING:  UM – I’ve totally been slacking.  Will swim 2x/week (4 times total for 30 minutes MINIMUM) before the race.  Totally not prepared, but at least I know how to swim (thanks swim team and my parents for wanting to keep us busy in the summers!)

• EATING/LIVING CLEAN:  Oh yeah.  Two weeks of no alcohol or crap food.  Glad I got in my Mexican food and margarita fix this past weekend.  Since food = fuel, I need my body to recover and stay conditioned.  Plus, when I stop eating chips and queso my pallet actually gets enough natural sweetness from fruit and my fat cravings are satiated by peanut/almond butter and high quality oils.  And I don’t feel like taking a nap after every meal…

HITS Triathlon in 11 days!

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” 
― Robert F. Kennedy

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750 meter swim, 12.4 meter bike, 3.1 mile run.  No big deal. So I’m not the strongest swimmer, personally own a single speed, and am a seasonally, semi-dedicated runner.  This race kicked my butt. But it also invigorated, challenged, and motivated me to push myself beyond my limits of comfort, ease, and laziness. It ended up being a beautiful weekend and perfect weather for a race.  Although despite the perfect conditions, I was completely freaked out and panicking the last hours before the race. Thankfully, I’ve trained consistently and for long enough that I’m ready for things like this.  HITS Triathlon Sprint, here I come!

  PREP –  Make sure you have everything you need at each transition spot and give yourself plenty of time.  Don’t rent a bike at the last minute (6 PM the day before the race),  try on parts of your wardrobe for the first time (my tri shorts and borrowed wetsuit), and forget to put on your chip timer.  I also parked illegally and went around road blocks at 5:35 am to get my bike to the transition spot on time.  I blame my erratic work schedule). SWIM – 750 meters 750 meters @ 72 degrees – I borrowed a wetsuit from an awesome friend, but didn’t realize the challenges that lie with open water swimming.  I suggest testing each piece of equipment (i.e. goggles) and making sure they work well (and don’t fog up every 5 seconds).  Or you might be irritated and focused on wardrobe malfunctions instead of breathing, pacing, and form. [I loved the wetsuit (I’m a giant weenie in cold water) but didn’t love the goggles.  And the fact that I hadn’t practiced in open water and wasn’t used to waves splashing in my mouth every time I came up for air] TRANSITION 1 – Have everything you need for the bike prepped and ready to go.  Start unzipping wetsuit as soon as you’re clear of the water, get to the strippers (yeah there are strippers!) and get it off.  Jog to your spot, get your helmet and shoes on, take a swig of water and get out of there.  The only shoes I had were running shoes so I didn’t have to worry about clip-ins. [Remember Towelie from South Park?  He was right.  Don’t forget to bring a towel.  Or water.  ] BIKE – 12.4 miles So I have a single speed and only ride on social cruises involving alcohol, lots of stops, and a leisurely pace.  This was a longer distance with rolling hills… beautiful Texas country with all the spring blossoms, perfect unseasonably cool weather, and a bike with gears (rented from the Bike Farm) that was light and easy to maneuver. [I could’ve gone without the Osprey hydration pack (that I managed to forget the mouthpiece for) that halfway through the bike started spouting out water uncontrollably until the pack was empty.  At least I was already wet.  Definitely should have gotten some more distance rides before the race! TRANSITION 2 – So I didn’t get a chance to go to my second transition site before the race.  I suggest doing this.  I left my bike, my shirt (kept the tri shorts and sports bra), and my hydration pack and took off for the run. RUN – 3.1 miles Fortunately, my gym has been focusing more on running in the past 3 months and I have been pushing myself to get faster.  My previous 10:30 mile has shifted to 9 minutes, and I have learned through Atomic to save some gas in the tank to finish strong.  On the last mile, I overtook some of the people in my lead and I sprinted the last quarter-mile to the finish. [Fortunately, I’ve been riding my bike the 5 miles to the gym and riding home after workouts, so my legs are used to being brutalized then having to keep going.  I finished the run in record time – for me… record time for me….  I kept my New Balance Minimus trail running shoes for the run and found the hills comforting.] FINISH – SATISFYING!  There were supporters, a medal, plenty of water and snacks, and the happiness of knowing I pushed through one more obstacle and overcame one more challenge. Even though I’ve just scratched the itch again… and there’s another hard, strenuous activity out there to push me even more.  I’m just waiting for the opportunity… HITS Triathlon 2014   My cousin and I kept the same pace on the ride, and her confidence pushed me to finish the race strong.  All throughout the race people were positive and encouraging, calling out in support of each other.  The volunteers and athletes cheered at each transition to motivate a strong finish. I crossed the finish line at 2 hours 8 minutes and felt great.  A challenging but totally worthwhile experience. What a supportive group!  I’m thankful for my family that came in town and encouraged me to do this because I wouldn’t have signed up otherwise (thanks Billy@Pacman Wellness & Crystal).  Sometimes all you need is an accountability partner and you find the motivation to challenge yourself to something new. What was your first Triathlon experience?  Any wardrobe mishaps?   Upcoming posts:  Descriptions of equipment and gear used during events.

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