Triathlon (5 of 5): Epilogue

I just wanted to lose weight.

Six months ago, I joined SparkPeople which is a Social Media Weight Loss website.  Think WeightWatchers meets Facebook.  One member posted that she did a Personal Tri at her gym and it wasnt too bad. Shortly after another posted about *her* Personal Tri. As much as I loved Zumba, I was intrigued by the challenge. Both made it seem so do-able. I knew I could do all of those distances individually; my challenge was doing them all in the same day.

Having a goal to work towards is a terrific motivator, as long as its a goal you choose for yourself. In progress to my goal, I've logged over 300 miles according to my tracker – at least 100 of which have been on my bike, according to that computer. It doesn't seem like much for you hardcore fitness people out there – but if you told me in January that I WOULD do it – I would have thought you were nuts and shoved another zeppoli in my mouth.

I had no coach other than what I was able to gather from the Internets and reading books. Every book I read came with a recommended training program – which I completely ignored. It didnt feel right to me. If I run for 20 min, I get 2 miles. If all I was doing was following the program, I would not have made it. My focus was to be able to complete the distances. That's it. For where I was in my fitness, that was an appropriate training goal. Each day, I chose something: Swim, Bike, Run, based on the available time, what I did the day before and what equipment I wanted to haul along...and sometimes the weather (hmm, its raining. I'll swim today!). For me, this WAS the right plan. Now, I want to get faster, so I'm looking at those training plans with a fresh eye. If I do 20 min of Fartleks and a 10 min cooldown, maybe I'll get faster. Maybe if I spend 45 min doing hill drills on the bike, maybe I can chew them up next time. What ST would be appropriate? All good questions – NOW I need to find a coach.

Because there WILL be a next time. I only committed to do one. I didnt know whether this is a lifestyle change or a bucket list item. But everyone needs a hobby and in these last few days, I think begin a triathlete will be good both for my physical and mental health. Despite the fact that my sister thinks I fell and hit my head on the sidewalk.

Next Tri will be West Point on August 19^th. More stinkin' hills, but its in my backyard. There is an easier one at the end of the month, but it doesnt leave enough recovery time to do Danskin at Sandy Hook, NJ on Sept 9^th. Remember that lady who posted about her experience at the gym?  Its going to be her first and I would love to see her since we two have been each other's cheerleaders since this began. (I can't commit at this point because I dont know if I'll be working. Work is good, but would mean no time to go that far.) So that's three in my first year.

New gear is limited because of the availability of funds. I'm going to need new sneakers. I want a reflective vest that I could use for biking, running or motorcycling. I'd like a pair of hard soled sneakers for biking. Ironman tried to convince me that there are special clips you can buy that are easier to get out of. I'm clumsy and skeptical. I know he would be thrilled to get me up there to try them out, but its an hour ride to his shop and it just all seems a bit to hardcore for someone of my ability.

I just wanted to lose weight.

94^th out of 102. Almost 2 ½ hours. Sheesh.

Gotta get that time under 2 hours. Eight weeks. Better get moving.