Now that I’ve chalked up my seventeenth sprint triathlon in not quite three years, I have to ask myself what keeps me going. At the age of 72, I have enough aches, pains, health issues, worries, and societal stereotyping that I could easily drop out, just as I’ve dropped out of nearly everything else remotely physical that I’ve tried to do in my life. But, no, I’m not writing a downer. I’m riding an upper today.
What keeps me going is that I can still keep going. I do triathlons because I can, while so many people my age can’t or won’t. I race because I don’t have to be a real athlete to compete. I don’t have to be talented. I don’t need to be young, firm, and fleet of foot. All I have to do is show up at a race that allows amateurs, newcomers, age-groupers, or people of all fitness levels.
Besides, racing is fun. I love speed. Slow as I am, I still get the sensation of speed when I glide as fast as I can through the water, race downhill on the bike, and lean into the run. I can only imagine how much better it must feel to those who are much speedier than I am. They must have an absolute blast! Love that speed!
Training log: Tuesday – just a few miles on the bike. Wednesday – somewhere between 800 and 1000 meters in the pool.
Motivation log: Looking forward to watching and cheering at the Buffalo Springs 70.3 this weekend.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Lake Pflugerville Triathlon, 2010
This is the third consecutive year I’ve participated in the Lake Pflugerville Triathlon, and it’ll be one of the last I give up when I’m too old to race. I enjoyed the swim, I loved the bike, and I gutted out the run. The numbers in the table don’t lie, but they certainly don’t tell the whole story.
Swim T1 Bike T2 Run Total
2008 24:42.8 3:22 59:30.2 1:23 44:20 2:13:19
2009 23:04 3:37 1:14:03 INC 47:03 2:27:48
2010 19:09 3:08 1:02:02 4:41 45:24 2:14:25
In 2008, three family members did the race with me and provided great motivation to do as well as I could. I had also kept up with steady training. Last year, I had all kinds of minor problems with my equipment, though my teammates cheered like crazy and pulled me along. This year, with nowhere enough training, I still lost only 1:06 off my PR for this race.
After a good swim, good T1, and pretty good bike, I felt the fatigue set in during T2 and on the treeless run. I had to walk/run the whole hot course. After I finished, I had to sit in the shade and drink a bottle of cool water before I could get up and do anything. When I got home, I had to take a nap, and I’m heading to bed early tonight.
And yet I’m pleased to have won second place in my age group (there were two of us). I’m thrilled that I wasn’t the last person out of the water, the last person off the bike, or the last person to finish the run. About a dozen people took longer than I did for the race, and they were all much younger.
I’ll probably need to rehash this race over the next couple of days before I get my head around what went well and what didn’t. It’s pretty important to figure things out so I can improve next time.
Training log: Swim – 500 meters. Bike – 14 miles. Run – 3.1 miles.
Motivation log: Good practice for toughness training.
Swim T1 Bike T2 Run Total
2008 24:42.8 3:22 59:30.2 1:23 44:20 2:13:19
2009 23:04 3:37 1:14:03 INC 47:03 2:27:48
2010 19:09 3:08 1:02:02 4:41 45:24 2:14:25
In 2008, three family members did the race with me and provided great motivation to do as well as I could. I had also kept up with steady training. Last year, I had all kinds of minor problems with my equipment, though my teammates cheered like crazy and pulled me along. This year, with nowhere enough training, I still lost only 1:06 off my PR for this race.
After a good swim, good T1, and pretty good bike, I felt the fatigue set in during T2 and on the treeless run. I had to walk/run the whole hot course. After I finished, I had to sit in the shade and drink a bottle of cool water before I could get up and do anything. When I got home, I had to take a nap, and I’m heading to bed early tonight.
And yet I’m pleased to have won second place in my age group (there were two of us). I’m thrilled that I wasn’t the last person out of the water, the last person off the bike, or the last person to finish the run. About a dozen people took longer than I did for the race, and they were all much younger.
I’ll probably need to rehash this race over the next couple of days before I get my head around what went well and what didn’t. It’s pretty important to figure things out so I can improve next time.
Training log: Swim – 500 meters. Bike – 14 miles. Run – 3.1 miles.
Motivation log: Good practice for toughness training.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Splash-Dash, Mish-Mash
Where did the time go this week? I did Splash & Dash on Tuesday night as planned, but the rest of the week got away from me. All I did was some miscellaneous walking, my senior exercise class Wednesday and Friday, and 500 meters of swimming last night. I need to do more or I won’t be ready for Budapest.
What went wrong? The usual stuff – too much work, too many interruptions, some family concerns, some fundraising projects, a couple of restless nights, and a couple of social events. Everyone has these situations. What I haven’t learned is to put my training schedule first in my life. Everything else seems to take precedence. Observation made. Now I’ll figure out a way to stick with the training more faithfully.
Training log: Discussed above and not worth listing.
Motivation log: I seem to have lost my motivation again.
What went wrong? The usual stuff – too much work, too many interruptions, some family concerns, some fundraising projects, a couple of restless nights, and a couple of social events. Everyone has these situations. What I haven’t learned is to put my training schedule first in my life. Everything else seems to take precedence. Observation made. Now I’ll figure out a way to stick with the training more faithfully.
Training log: Discussed above and not worth listing.
Motivation log: I seem to have lost my motivation again.
Monday, June 14, 2010
An Enjoyable Rest Day
For the first time in ages, I enjoyed my rest day. Usually, I’m too restless or worried that I’m falling behind in my training plan. Considering my recent hiatus due to a sinus infection, I’d expected to go half crazy today. I think I’m still basking in the glow of yesterday’s bike ride and anticipating the glow I expect to get from doing Splash & Dash tomorrow.
Splash & Dash counts as an aquathlon with USA Triathlon, the governing body of various multisports. The typical aquathlon contains running, swimming, and more running, but S&D is just swimming and running. The aquathlon I’ll race in Budapest will be 2.5K of running, 1K of swimming, and another 2.5K of running. Tomorrow, I’ll swim 750 meters and run 3K (1.86 miles), so it’s a short aquathlon.
In Budapest, I don’t have a clue as to whether we’ll wear wetsuits for the aquathlon or not. I think it would be very difficult to jam one’s sweaty, post-run self into a skin-tight wetsuit and then strip it off for the second part of the run. I certainly plan to use a wetsuit for the triathlon because the swim comes first in the cool of the morning. Oh, well. Maybe all will become clear later on.
Training log: No real training – only an hour of senior stretching, aerobics, and strength training.
Motivation log: Continuing to absorb “Talent Is Overrated.” Good book!
Splash & Dash counts as an aquathlon with USA Triathlon, the governing body of various multisports. The typical aquathlon contains running, swimming, and more running, but S&D is just swimming and running. The aquathlon I’ll race in Budapest will be 2.5K of running, 1K of swimming, and another 2.5K of running. Tomorrow, I’ll swim 750 meters and run 3K (1.86 miles), so it’s a short aquathlon.
In Budapest, I don’t have a clue as to whether we’ll wear wetsuits for the aquathlon or not. I think it would be very difficult to jam one’s sweaty, post-run self into a skin-tight wetsuit and then strip it off for the second part of the run. I certainly plan to use a wetsuit for the triathlon because the swim comes first in the cool of the morning. Oh, well. Maybe all will become clear later on.
Training log: No real training – only an hour of senior stretching, aerobics, and strength training.
Motivation log: Continuing to absorb “Talent Is Overrated.” Good book!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
A Not-So-Baby Ride
The bike ride this morning was tougher than I expected. Since I haven’t ridden much in South Austin, I was surprised by the number and the steepness of the hills. I’m definitely old, slow, and out of shape, but there were two or three others who weren’t much ahead of me. The ride leaders had us take a shortcut so we could meet up with the faster riders on this no-drop ride. I don’t know how much we cut off the scheduled 20 miles. Since I added on four miles (two from my place and two back home), I’m sure I got in at least 20 miles.
My new saddle felt quite comfortable the whole time. Thank goodness for it! As with any improvement, I wonder why I put up with the discomfort of the old saddle for so long? Ignorance? Timidity? Frugality? Who knows? I’m just glad I got the new one. I’ll feel like tackling some much longer rides this fall and winter now that I won’t have to worry so much about pain.
For me, group rides are much more fun than riding alone, especially when the trip leaders help watch for traffic, warn about road hazards, assist with fixing flats, and check to make sure that we’re all right. I’d like to think, however, that one day I won’t need a trip leader to check on me because I’ll be in the middle of the pack and not at the end. Fingers crossed!
Training log: Cycling – about 20 miles.
Motivation log: Feeling good is a great motivator to keep on feeling good by means of training.
My new saddle felt quite comfortable the whole time. Thank goodness for it! As with any improvement, I wonder why I put up with the discomfort of the old saddle for so long? Ignorance? Timidity? Frugality? Who knows? I’m just glad I got the new one. I’ll feel like tackling some much longer rides this fall and winter now that I won’t have to worry so much about pain.
For me, group rides are much more fun than riding alone, especially when the trip leaders help watch for traffic, warn about road hazards, assist with fixing flats, and check to make sure that we’re all right. I’d like to think, however, that one day I won’t need a trip leader to check on me because I’ll be in the middle of the pack and not at the end. Fingers crossed!
Training log: Cycling – about 20 miles.
Motivation log: Feeling good is a great motivator to keep on feeling good by means of training.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The Babiest of Baby Steps
It’s weird that walking is harder on my arthritic knee than Pose running is, but my respiratory system isn’t ready for me to run yet. So I walked for an hour in my new neighborhood to the east of my place. And a lovely neighborhood it is, too. There’s an interesting mixture of somewhat run-down homes, old elegance, recent gentrification, and current remodeling. I really like the neighborhood. The gardens and flowering trees were so lovely that I came home and spent almost an hour weeding my tiny little garden. One day soon, I’ll bike all over the place so I can get to know it well.
Speaking of biking, I’m joining a group doing a 20-mile ride tomorrow morning. This will be the first real test of my new bike saddle. It felt so comfortable in the shop that I’ll be very disappointed if it doesn’t hold up for 20 miles. Although it has no more padding than my old one, the design seems to fit me a lot better. Gotta get the old booty ready for Booty-Pest. I hope my future Hungarian friends don’t mind this nickname. I give them full permission to call my town Ass-tin as many times as they like.
Training log: Walking – one hour.
Motivation log: It’s much easier to be active when you feel good than when you don’t!
Speaking of biking, I’m joining a group doing a 20-mile ride tomorrow morning. This will be the first real test of my new bike saddle. It felt so comfortable in the shop that I’ll be very disappointed if it doesn’t hold up for 20 miles. Although it has no more padding than my old one, the design seems to fit me a lot better. Gotta get the old booty ready for Booty-Pest. I hope my future Hungarian friends don’t mind this nickname. I give them full permission to call my town Ass-tin as many times as they like.
Training log: Walking – one hour.
Motivation log: It’s much easier to be active when you feel good than when you don’t!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Mo' Better
Thank goodness! I was beginning to worry. I forgot that taking antibiotics always wears me out – it’s been over a year since I’ve had any. They finally worked! Yesterday and today, I’ve felt almost normal.
Although I haven’t done any swimming, biking, running, or strength training for a week, I had fun teaching senior aerobics today, whereas it was hard on Monday and Wednesday and impossible last Friday. I also kayaked in somewhat rough waters for about an hour in support of friends who wanted to do some open water swimming. I chose not to swim because I haven’t finished the course of antibiotics. It would be horrible if I suffered a relapse. Let’s get completely well first and then ease back into training.
Training log: Nothing today.
Motivation log: Feeling better motivated me to plan some weekend activities.
Although I haven’t done any swimming, biking, running, or strength training for a week, I had fun teaching senior aerobics today, whereas it was hard on Monday and Wednesday and impossible last Friday. I also kayaked in somewhat rough waters for about an hour in support of friends who wanted to do some open water swimming. I chose not to swim because I haven’t finished the course of antibiotics. It would be horrible if I suffered a relapse. Let’s get completely well first and then ease back into training.
Training log: Nothing today.
Motivation log: Feeling better motivated me to plan some weekend activities.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Gotta Get Going
What’s the matter with me? I’m feeling better physically with very little congestion and no more fever, but my head is back in bed. I seem to think I’m still sick. I’ve been up and dressed all day and even did the grocery shopping, but I couldn’t manage to take the walk I knew would help me feel better. What’s up with that? Do I want to feel bad? NO!
Okay, it’s probably just a temporary setback. Tomorrow, I’ll rig things so I have to get out and walk for at least 30 minutes. Once I take those first few steps, I know I’ll perk up and keep going. Doing something active the next day will be easier, and by the weekend, I may be able to ease back into some gentle training.
Training log: Nothing today.
Motivation log: Nothing today.
Okay, it’s probably just a temporary setback. Tomorrow, I’ll rig things so I have to get out and walk for at least 30 minutes. Once I take those first few steps, I know I’ll perk up and keep going. Doing something active the next day will be easier, and by the weekend, I may be able to ease back into some gentle training.
Training log: Nothing today.
Motivation log: Nothing today.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Recovery and Recommitment
The body heals. Its default is life – until it isn’t, and then we call it death. Recovering from anything always takes twice as long as I like it to, so I’ll need to train for greater patience this week. Though I still feel tired and took a nap this afternoon, my heart was out at Decker Lake this morning as hundreds of women became brand new triathletes the minute they crossed the finish line and received their finisher’s medal. Even more triathletes recommitted themselves to the healthy, triathlon lifestyle. A few probably raced their last race, and I’ll be among that number one of these bays – but not yet!
To promote health and healing, I hereby promise to recover fully before I resume training and to start with baby steps. I also recommit myself to swimming, bicycling, running, and strength training – but also to monitoring myself more carefully and taking better care of myself. I’m not ready to give up triathlon and won’t be for years, so I will do whatever it takes to stay in the game, as long as it's legal and ethical.
Training log: Rest day.
Motivation log: Took pride in registering yesterday for the Aquathlon World Championships in Budapest. With proper self management, I can do both the aquathlon and the sprint triathlon.
To promote health and healing, I hereby promise to recover fully before I resume training and to start with baby steps. I also recommit myself to swimming, bicycling, running, and strength training – but also to monitoring myself more carefully and taking better care of myself. I’m not ready to give up triathlon and won’t be for years, so I will do whatever it takes to stay in the game, as long as it's legal and ethical.
Training log: Rest day.
Motivation log: Took pride in registering yesterday for the Aquathlon World Championships in Budapest. With proper self management, I can do both the aquathlon and the sprint triathlon.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Regrets and Reconciliation
“If only I had known” – one of the most disconsolate phrases in the English language. Tracing this sinus infection back to its probable cause, I think the 1K in a chlorinated pool on March 27 and the .5K at Lake Pflugerville on March 28 kicked it off. Wish I had used several home remedies right away – neti pot with warm salt water, ear drops of vinegar and alcohol, warm dry clothes, Vicks Vaporub, no dairy products, steam treatment, extra water and electrolytes, extra rest, hot tea, and so on.
I need to get my head around adopting these remedies every time I swim. My main stumbling blocks have been denial (I’m too tough for all this babying!), denial (I’m not allergic to chlorine or lake water!), denial (I don’t have time for all these home remedies!), and denial (I can train as hard as I want whenever I want in any conditions I want!).
Okay, I hereby accept the fact that I need to exercise self care after I swim. Many people do. It’s okay to take special precautions. Many people do. It’s better to take a few little steps after every swim than miss a week or more of training and a race because of a sinus infection. Anyone would agree with that.
Instead of beating myself up for being so hard-headed and slow to learn, however, I’m going to congratulate myself for finally accepting responsibility for my part in this current illness. I could have done better by myself and hereafter I will. The home remedies may not prevent every infection, but they’ll help a lot. They’ll become part of my training regimen.
Although I’m feeling a little better today, I’m not racing the Danskin tomorrow. One hour of standing in line at packet pick-up wore me out. I got my shirt and race bib mostly to get out of the house for a while but also in case a miracle occurred and I felt like racing tomorrow. Not a chance!
Training log: Sick day.
Motivation log: Took care of myself by resting a lot and promising to add self care to my swimming routine.
I need to get my head around adopting these remedies every time I swim. My main stumbling blocks have been denial (I’m too tough for all this babying!), denial (I’m not allergic to chlorine or lake water!), denial (I don’t have time for all these home remedies!), and denial (I can train as hard as I want whenever I want in any conditions I want!).
Okay, I hereby accept the fact that I need to exercise self care after I swim. Many people do. It’s okay to take special precautions. Many people do. It’s better to take a few little steps after every swim than miss a week or more of training and a race because of a sinus infection. Anyone would agree with that.
Instead of beating myself up for being so hard-headed and slow to learn, however, I’m going to congratulate myself for finally accepting responsibility for my part in this current illness. I could have done better by myself and hereafter I will. The home remedies may not prevent every infection, but they’ll help a lot. They’ll become part of my training regimen.
Although I’m feeling a little better today, I’m not racing the Danskin tomorrow. One hour of standing in line at packet pick-up wore me out. I got my shirt and race bib mostly to get out of the house for a while but also in case a miracle occurred and I felt like racing tomorrow. Not a chance!
Training log: Sick day.
Motivation log: Took care of myself by resting a lot and promising to add self care to my swimming routine.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Christmas Throat
What’s bright red around the edges and has a green streak down the back? Normally, I love the red and green of the Christmas colors, but not when they are in my throat. The doctor said that a sinus infection was producing lots of green nasal drainage that stuck to my red throat. No wonder it hurt so much. I got a prescription for a strong antibiotic, so I should be feeling better in a day or two. Glad I didn’t continue trying to fight this thing by myself.
Training log: Sick day.
Motivation log: Took care of myself by going to the doctor.
Training log: Sick day.
Motivation log: Took care of myself by going to the doctor.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Beauty of Naps
Sometimes I have to adjust my training plans to match reality. I had hoped to bike or run today, but instead I napped without intending to. I’m not sure why I couldn’t sleep well last night, but I felt so wasted today that the first chance I had to sit down, about 4:00, I fell asleep right away and didn’t budge for over an hour. The letters I had planned to open and read were scattered on the floor beside my chair. Dried drool covered my chin. Not a pretty sight. But the nap got the job done.
It was so hard to wake up that I almost cancelled my evening appointments, but I’m glad I didn’t. I felt better after I got moving, and I always enjoy seeing my clients improve in strength, balance, aerobics, and general health. Besides, I sneak in a little mini-workout for myself while I’m demonstrating the exercises for them. It’s all good. Hope I sleep well tonight so I can train hard tomorrow. I wonder if I’ll make it all the way through my practice aquathlon?
Training log: Nothing but a few core exercises and senior exercise class.
Motivation log: I was strongly motivated to take care of myself by embracing the nap. I didn’t beat myself up for sleeping instead of training.
It was so hard to wake up that I almost cancelled my evening appointments, but I’m glad I didn’t. I felt better after I got moving, and I always enjoy seeing my clients improve in strength, balance, aerobics, and general health. Besides, I sneak in a little mini-workout for myself while I’m demonstrating the exercises for them. It’s all good. Hope I sleep well tonight so I can train hard tomorrow. I wonder if I’ll make it all the way through my practice aquathlon?
Training log: Nothing but a few core exercises and senior exercise class.
Motivation log: I was strongly motivated to take care of myself by embracing the nap. I didn’t beat myself up for sleeping instead of training.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Work Ethic
The book I’m reading, “Talent Is Overrated,” makes a lot of sense. It nets out two ideas that produce world-class performance in a number of areas. The ideas are being in the right environment and doing the hard work. For example, if you live in the snow belt and have access to good equipment and coaching and if you work long and hard to improve your performance, you are likely to become a very good skier. If you have enormous talent for skiing but don’t work at it, you won’t.
On the one hand, having no talent for something is one of the biggest excuses I’ve ever heard from people who don’t exercise – “I’m no good at it.” On the other hand, having no talent is one of the greatest reasons there is to work hard at something so you’ll learn to do it reasonably well and enjoy it more than ever.
So I trotted out my work ethic at team practice this evening. I seldom look forward to run workouts because my knee usually starts hurting at some point. Further, I still haven’t lost all the congestion nor regained my breath. But I kept on going – round and round that track like a hamster. When I felt my technique was slipping away, I walked a bit and then got right back to my slow steady little jog. Only once or twice did my knee complain. Maybe there’s something to this work ethic idea.
Training log: Run practice – 3 miles, about 2/3 slow jogging and 1/3 walking.
Motivation log: Accepting the fact that I’m not and will never be a talented athlete and embracing the concept of good, hard work as a way to keep on racing for as many years as I can.
On the one hand, having no talent for something is one of the biggest excuses I’ve ever heard from people who don’t exercise – “I’m no good at it.” On the other hand, having no talent is one of the greatest reasons there is to work hard at something so you’ll learn to do it reasonably well and enjoy it more than ever.
So I trotted out my work ethic at team practice this evening. I seldom look forward to run workouts because my knee usually starts hurting at some point. Further, I still haven’t lost all the congestion nor regained my breath. But I kept on going – round and round that track like a hamster. When I felt my technique was slipping away, I walked a bit and then got right back to my slow steady little jog. Only once or twice did my knee complain. Maybe there’s something to this work ethic idea.
Training log: Run practice – 3 miles, about 2/3 slow jogging and 1/3 walking.
Motivation log: Accepting the fact that I’m not and will never be a talented athlete and embracing the concept of good, hard work as a way to keep on racing for as many years as I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
