Life of an Age-Grouper

Obviously this is not a video as I had hoped to do but I'm holding myself accountable so here is my update. I have had one, very unique thought during the last month of training which I have never had before, I regularly felt that training was a job.  For the first time ever I wasn't having fun while training. It was starting to feel like a job and was consequently changing my attitude toward  triathlon.  I have always said that when and if I find my limits or if I stop having fun then I will step away from it.  Was now the time to graciously bow out? I voiced my concerns and change of attitude to Meliss and reflected quite regularly on why I started to feel this way.  As I come to the end of this building block of training I think an answer has emerged. This culminating block of training was focused on running and building speed. While I knew my body would be able to tolerate the increased stress, without fear of injury, I underestimated the impact of ...

Date: 5/18/13 Race: Harryman Olympic Location: Harriman State Park, NY The Harriman Olympic/Half racecourse is challenging. To start the water is pretty cold, usually around 55 degrees. The bike course is anything but flat which makes it difficult to get into a rhythm. The run course is just as hilly and presents the same problems. On top of all that there is limited fan support and the field is very small which can be mentally daunting. All of these negatives are exactly why I love this race. This race truly tests your athletic abilities. One unique feature about the Harriman Race is that it is self-racking. I actually like self-racking, being able to set up my transition where I desire has its advantages. The down side to self-racking is that if you don't get to transition early enough you’re forced into a less desirable rack. Today’s first objective, rack my bike right next to the main drag out of transition. Objective number two; get a rack that is equidistance fro...

Just a few more weeks and I will be toeing the line! It has been a super long time since I raced last, actually it will practically be a year to the date. Am I ready to toe the line?  Mentally: Yes Emotionally: Yes Physically: No I haven't had the best of luck pedaling my bike as of recent.  The unidentified injury that I wrote about in my last blog was actually a broken collar bone.  Yes, I broke my collar bone again.  As a result my swim training has pretty much been non-existent.  I broke my collar bone, for the second time, on Easter Sunday.  Right after it happened I told Matt that I needed one week off.  I then told him that I want to hit the bike hard again at the end of the week, that I'll start running a week after that, then swim the following week.  I gave myself 4 weeks to heal.  The average timetable for a collar bone to completely heal is 12 weeks.  I have done exactly what I said I'd do. I'm currentl...