Tri Training Week 13: Go Team!

Weekly Mileage: 66.39 (11.6 Running, 1.56 Swimming, 51.85 Biking)


It's hard to express what Team in Training means to me.  This program is without a doubt the best way to train for an endurance event.  Sure, the fundraising is hard and I feel awkward about asking people for money, but the stories I hear from people about how TNT paid for medication or care during their battles with blood cancer makes it worth it. 


Just as important are the support and friendship that come along with the training.  Without my training buddy Dania, I'm not sure I'd be able to get up at 5:45 on Saturday mornings.  Without the friendly advice from the coaches and mentors, I don't know that I'd be able to complete the long swims, and the longer rides and runs. 


Today I was running on the national mall, and I was about half way through the 4-mile route and ready to give up.  I've been quite exhausted lately, and my running has taken the biggest hit.  As I paused at a red light in the shadow of the Washington Monument, I heard, "Go team!"  I turned around and there was a lady who had seen my TNT shirt and wanted to give me some encouragement.


"Did you do Team In Training?" I asked.
"Yeah, for six seasons.  Now I'm a coach.  What event are you training for?"
"The Nations Tri."
"I am so proud of you.  You're going to do a great job.  You're amazing.  Go team!"


This woman had no clue who I was, and I didn't know her either, but a simple look at the logo on my shirt let her know I was someone she was proud of.  That interaction, which took place before the red hand changed to a little walking man, got me through the rest of my run. 


That's what this organization means to me.  We're working so hard for something we can be proud of.  We're working to improve the lives of others, and we're improving our own lives as well.


Go team!



I also wanted to update you all on my training progress.  So far this triathlon season I have worked out 85 times, swam 19.89 miles, ran 110.6 miles, and biked a staggering 359.25 miles (more than the distance from my hometown Urbana, IL to Chicago and back)!  This has by far been the most challenging athletic accomplishment I have set out to complete, and it has been surprisingly even harder on my mental state.  This last month I have faced a number of angry little voices in the back of my head yelling, “GO BACK TO BED!” or “Quit now and you’ll feel better!”  Well I haven’t listened to them (for the most part), and I’m looking forward to completing The Nations Triathlon 4 weeks from today!  I know Erica and Toby will be with me every step of the way!
If you're still considering donating, time is running out!  I’m hoping you’ll be able to donate some time before August 27^th.  Just click on the link to the right and it will take you straight to my fundraising page.  Thanks so much for all your support!

Tri Training Weeks 11 and 12: Bust Your Ass

Bi-weekly mileage: 55.9 (44.3 Biking, 8.8 running, 2.8 swimming)

Training was going really well.  I had figured out how to work out on my vacations all summer long.  I had missed a few workouts here and there, but was really sticking to the schedule.  I felt my endurance increasing, and could tell I was getting stronger.  I got compliments on my leg muscles.  And then...

 It's all fun and games until someone flies down a concrete slide at top speed (having significant mass affected by the pull of gravity) and lands, ass first, on a concrete slab.  Don't let that sand fool out...it's just a light dusting at the bottom of the slide.  There's video of the event, but I'll spare you.  Anyway, a hike through Golden Gate Park, and a 6-hour flight did not make the situation any better, and I went to the doctor the next day to find out that it was not broken, and that it would still be painful for a month.  F.

So.  I took five days off of training.  Monday I laid in bed with ice on my butt taking massive amounts of ibuprofen and worrying about a stomach ulcer.  Tuesday was much of the same, with a half a day of work thrown in.  Wednesday I was able to put in a full day of work sitting on the donut pillow, with frequent breaks to waddle around the office like a pregnant senior citizen (paradox!).

Finally on Thursday I was able to make it into the pool thanks to the encouragement of my big sister, and Saturday I hit the bike.  Oh man that hurt.  I only made it 60 of the 100-minute workout before I wussed out and laid in the grass in the fetal position while waiting for my carpool buddy to finish.  I still haven't tried running since the incident, but I've got no choice but to buck up and give it a shot tomorrow.

But today was the highlight of the training so far.  I squeezed into my wetsuit and completed my first open water swim!  This was the first time I have worn a wetsuit since the glory days of SCUBA diving in college, and it was not a pretty sight.  But once I got into the water, it was beautiful!  The buoyancy of the wetsuit made the swim quite easy, and the clarity of the water coupled with the total flat calm made for a perfect workout.  We swam a mile in 40 minutes, and practiced staying in a straight line with no black line at the bottom of the pool to follow!

Though conditions in the Potomac will be extra disgusting, especially when compared with today's location, I feel more confident that I will be able to finish the swim and hop on my bike with energy to spare.  I guess it's time to get back to running...