For most of us, New Year's Eve is full of friends, revelry and maybe one too many glasses of champagne. And if you're not careful, you might wake up the next morning with foggy memories of things you immediately regret. We've all Well, my NYE didn't involve anything remotely resembling lechery, but I did wake up in a panic the morning after. Because on New Year's Eve I decided it was a fantastic idea to sign up for a triathlon AND do a marathon.
That's right folks, 2009 will be the year of my first triathlon and marathon! And I am absolutely excited. Oh, and terrified. But still excited. Mostly terrified, actually.
I've signed up for a marathon clinic with a local running store, so I'm not as worried about finding a training plan for that race. I'm shooting for the inaugural Minneapolis Marathon on May 31. I chose not to do Grandma's, a larger and arguably more "prestigious" race, because I want to sleep/toss fitfully in my bed the night before. Staying close to home eliminates a lot of variables that I'd rather not deal with for my first marathon -- travel, hotels, weird Duluth food, weird Duluth people, and so on (just kidding, I love you Duluthians).
(Disclaimer: By saying "first," I in no way mean to imply that there will be a next.)
Running 26 miles is certainly a special kind of crazy. But do you know what's even crazier? Voluntarily signing up to get kicked in the head and drown in the middle of Lake Phalen. Also known as the St. Paul Triathlon.
Here are the pros of this whole triathlon situation, as I see it:
- It forces me to cross-train, something that I usually neglect.
- I will learn about bike maintenance.
- It's great motivation to get stronger and healthier and try new challenges.
- I signed up with two of my good friends, so I'm not alone.
- We're going to make T-shirts. Clever team name pending (ideas, people!).
- It's not until August.
- UPDATE: I also get to wear special biking pants with a padded butt. Awesome!
And the cons:
- I don't know how to swim. I mean, I can keep myself afloat and know the strokes, but I am just awful. I'm going to have to figure something out there, or death is imminent.
- Imminent death is a pretty big CON, come to think of it.
- I don't have a training plan (yet) or training group. This means I need to get my responsibility on, and that is a tricky business.
- I don't really know how to bike, either. At least not in a "Ooh, hot aero bars, where'd you get your clip-in shoes?" kind of way. Leisurely pedal to a nearby restaurant? Sure! No problem! Ride in a race where I'm not allowed to do things like "drafting" and I have to ride many miles CONSECUTIVELY? Eep.
I have many things to learn between now and August. Well, hopefully I learn them long before August so that I can practice the skills I learn, like "not drowning" and "how to bike fast without tipping over." I might join a training group through Life Time, and will probably volunteer at the LTF Tri in July, so that I can get a feel for it.
If you seasoned triathletes are still reading, I am in need of recommendations for good training plans (and any other tips you might have).
(Photo by ableman, of a tri that looks much more my speed)
Check out trinewbies dot com for training plans. Also - what distance triathlon are you doing? If you're really apprehensive about the swim, you might think about doing a sprint distance tri. There are even some races where the sim takes place in a pool. This is MUCH easier than open water swimming, and also a lot easier to prepare for. I'm not an expert, but I've done two sprint tris - one in a pool and one in a lake - so that's my take on it.
You will have such a good time training for your first marathon and tri! It'll be good that you're training for the marathon with a group! Definitely hopes with the motivation factor!
Zarah: Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely check out that site, and I think an indoor tri is a great idea.
Jess: I hope you're right! I'm excited right now, but when I have those 16-mile long runs looming, I don't know if I'll be as dedicated as you are. :)
5K? This weekend? See you there? (I'd like to get all the bloggers together for a photo at about 8:45, but there are no details yet...)
Check out Total Immersion swimming. That's how I learned how to swim. I used their 15 step DVD and flashcards. Seriously. I totally feel your pain! The swim in my first tri was simply survival!!
I've never done the St. Paul Tri! I'll either have to do it this year, or come and cheer everyone on!
Good luck!!
Hey Kaeti! Welcome to the wild world of marathons and triathlons! I've got the St. Paul Tri on my schedule too. We should get together for a few training sessions this summer. Don't worry, the swim isn't as scary as you think. You'll do great! If you need someone to run w/ for your marathon training, send me an email. I'm always looking for new people to run with. Maybe I'll see you this weekend at the Winter Carnival races?
Steve: I'll be there with bells on. (Or at least four pairs of mittens.) Thanks for the Total Immersion suggestion, I'll definitely check them out.
Jen: I may just take you up on that! I'm always looking for more/new people to run and train with. I'm doing the 5K on Saturday with my Bolder Options mentor, so be sure to say hi!
I did my first tri in Sept. 08. In 2009, my resolutions are
1-More water
2-More vegetables
3-More triathalons
Hey Kaeti-
Did you make it to the 5K this weekend? I didn't see you!...
I just decided to do a triathlon for the first time too! I chose a sprint triathlon with a pool swim because I don't really know how to swim yet and wanted to remove one variable. I just started a blog about my efforts and thought you might like to see it. (www.soulsprout.typepad.com/triit) I'll keep checking your blog to see how you are doing. Good luck! It's so good to know I'm not alone!
My first tri was the Minneman Triathlon in Plymouth and I highly recommend it. A flat run, a shallow swim (for the not-great-swimmers) and a nice, rectangular-shaped (easy to follow) bike map.
I am doing the Manitou and the Saint Paul tris this summer - still thinking about the middle of the summer.
If you are in Saint Paul, I also recommend the MN Masters program at the YWCA of Saint Paul. Good, basic swimming. See you out there!