Although as short a time as 6 months ago it would have been shocking news especially to me. I have never been a swimmer. I learned very late and never got good at it. Doing a duathlon last summer was way outside my comfort zone and as far as I thought I would go. Yet I remember well when a marathon was unthinkable. I can also remember a time earlier than that when I admired my friend, T, because she raced! My life has changed drastically in the last 10 years and it seems as though there are yet some major things I am willing to try in the athletic part of my life.
Yes, I will attempt a tri next summer. I hope to attempt at least 2 so I can see some improvement. I am already scouring the Internet looking for tris with very short swim portions in my area. And they are out there - many many more than a simple duathlon which is part of my motivation. I just plain like to race! There are even some with the swim portion in pools. A coworker told me about someone she knows my age who recently started doing triathlons. This woman is very athletic looking, in fact MJ told me she was the athlete of the year for New Jersey at one time. Well, guess what? She came in next to the last in the results of one tri I was looking at. Good God! If she came in next to the last I will be last for sure. That is why I have to do at least two. I hope to at least see some improvement as I do a second one.
I am not great at any of the disciplines and super bad at one of them. I could wait until I turn 60 and do my first tri in my 60s but I am too anxious to give it a try.
I am also hoping to get a road bike but not just because of this goal. I ended up doing a lot of cycling this summer and hope to do even more next year. I could see a distinct difference between those with road bikes and those without. I didn't feel the difference was based on fitness as much as the bikes. I want to rack up even more miles next summer and I don't want to be held back by my bike. Of course there are many levels of road bikes you can get plus I really will have to learn to change a tire but it will all be worth it as I explore new and old routes all over my beautiful state and beyond. I am thinking if I want to get one anyways I should certainly do it well before my first tri so I can have it and learn to use it including those foolish clipless pedals.
When I do something new, I always like to read about it. Any recommendations for Tri books out there esp. for first timers?
And waaaaay before next summer when I try to tri, go over to Run With Jill's blog for the second annual bloggy gift exchange. Last year it was a lot of fun. Join in the fun!
30 comments:
You are beyond inspiring! I still need to learn the swim thing. Ugh. Here's to Santa bringing that rode bike!
Have not pulled the Dublin trigger. :( But I sure want to!
I'm excited for you!
I can't wait to follow this journey in 2012!!!!! You ROCK!
My husband bought me "Triathlons for Women", by Sally Edwards. I can't tell you if it's any good bc I've only skimmed it. I have another triathlon book, too...the name escapes me, but I'll look for it. Seems like it had good training advice. Beginnertriathlete.com is another resource. A friend recommended a book on swimming called Total Immersion.
I'm not surprised at all, but I think YOU will be next year. I've watched your consistent training over the past year and your growing love for swimming over the past couple months. Watching this new journey is going to be fun...and inspiring. :)
P.S. After the road bike, it's time to start looking at mountain bikes. :)
I was starting to get the feeling you were going to do this, with all the swimming you've been adding! Good for you - why wait? Go for it! I'll be rooting for you!
Go for it! I did my first two tri's this summer, not something I'd ever imagined myself doing even a year ago.
I came last in the first, and second to last in the second :)
The swim is a bit intimidating, and the only open water swims I've managed to do so far were in the tri's themselves, but once in you're in the water and get going, it's less scary than you'd think.
Yay! How exciting - go for it!
You won't be attempting them, you will nailing these tri's....there isn't anything you can't do! I remember how excited you were finishing your first duathlon and know this will be just as exciting and successful! The unknown is always scary the first time....but also so exciting and adventurous.
A road bike is going to make a world of difference for your speed and ability. I'm not much of a cyclist but I do love my road bike :).
Not surprised at all, was actually waiting till you announced it :)
I think you will be great at it too.
I can't help you with tips because I'm no expert in tri's.
I knew it! I just knew it!
This is great! Wow! I am so excited for you and can't wait to read your training posts. You go girl!!!
How cool! So exciting! I can't wait to hear how it goes.
Doesn't surprise me at all!! You'll be awesome at it. Good luck with your training. It'll be interesting to see how you adapt to the other disciplines in the training. Best wishes!
I'm not really surprised either ;) You'll be great - its obviously in your genes since you passed it on to Emily!
WOW!! I repeat WOW. If you can do a tri maybe when I turn 60, I can do a marathon LOL!
I've been waiting for this post for some time now. I'm really happy to read this. You will be awesome! All the best with your tri journey. Tons of respect for you! Have a super weekend!
Yes, definitely saw this coming. You are going to do great. Best of luck with your training!
That's so awesome!!!! I'm so excited for you. My first tri book was Triathlons for Dummies. It's great. I still use it as a resource all the time.
HOORAY!
Dear Santa
AJH has been a very good girl this year and would really like a brand new road bike for Christmas. One with those foolish clipless pedals.
EEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is exciting.
I really think you have a great resource in your daughter. As for tri books, I find a lot of them are complicated and only really good for the longer distance races.
I've perused many websites like BeginnerTriathlete and TriFuel, they have some free programs. For a sprint I found that a balanced approach that's not too crazy works well (3 x 3 sports a week...keeping distances manageable). I also think incorporating open water swims (if you can) and bricks are key. Since you're such a strong runner already you may not need the bricks as much as someone like me but I always find even short brick workouts are monumentally helpful for building strength.
PS Yes, Disappearing Spoon on the periodic table was quite good in fact!
So excited to read this! You are living proof that it is NEVER too late to push the boundaries, go out of your comfort zone and try something new. You are going to LOVE it!
You are very inspiring. I love how you go out of your comfort zone and just be positive and go try a new venture. :)
Wish you all the best in the tri-world.
Oh yeah...no way would I put that in my classroom...though most of my kids wouldn't get it. Or at least wouldn't read it (though they could). My friend bought one; I settled for a picture.
Go with the tri!!!!
I will follow step by step your adventure.
Good luck.
Go for it! So excited for you :)
Enjoy it!! I'm planning my first tri for next summer as well.
Exciting! It's great to hearing you try something new!
I knew it!
I'm so excited that you're going to do a Tri, you're going to love it!
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