Part 4: "Preparation" vs. "Training"

So, the first event was really fun. Afterwards, I thought if I was going to do any more, in the interest of survival and dignity, I should really "get in better shape". Even the way I thought about training at that point was rudimentary.

"Preparation"
For the next two months, I swam, biked and ran regularly, each about once a week. Toward the middle of November, I was pretty impressed with my level of activity. I was swimming a mile in a little more than 30 minutes. I was cycling, usually solo, anywhere from 10 to 30 miles with average speeds into the 17mph range. I had built up my run from two to four miles at about a 10 minute mile pace. During that eight weeks, I swam 8 miles, biked 280, and ran 40.

But I began to wonder if my methods and volume of "training" was going to make me any faster. Perhaps because I had begun to realize

Part 3: Event Day

We arrive at Compo Beach in Westport, Connecticut at 6:20am. Lots of early morning action. Fellow competitors pulling gear out of the backs of their cars. Everyone stretching and suiting up. Sign-in at the registration tent. The atmosphere was calm with a pervasive background buzz.

I had to mount a new tire right before the race because I had blown the one the night before - bad luck. With the organizers shouting instructions over a loudspeaker, we strapped on our timing chips, set up our bikes in the transition area, zipped up our wet suits and began a parade with 200 other competitors down the beach to the swim start. Spectators joined the 7:30am parade toward the sun rising over the Sound,

Part 2: The First Triathlon

Right around that time, September, 2010, I agreed to a bet with Matt and another friend, Nick, to compete in a Mini Triathlon in Westport, Connecticut. I would never have agreed to this, except I learned that it was only a 1/2 mile swim, a 5.5 mile bike ride and a 2.2 mile run. I figured even I could complete that event, and I had already prepared for the Lighthouse Race, so what the hell. I also figured that most triathletes hate the swimming part, and since that would be my strongest part, I might be able to gain some advantage there.

With two weeks to go, I had plenty of time to grab the bike out of the garage, dust it off, maybe get the local bike shop to give it a once-over. Hell, I even had time to go for a few rides. I had always loved to ride

The Backstory: Part 1

For every challenge, there's a back story. Here's mine...


Part 1: Slippery Slope

It's all about fun, so I hope to have some laughs along the way, but since I haven't taken on the challenge of the Triathlon lightly, I thought I would share how I came to take it on and what I've been doing to prepare.

First of all, I have to say, competitive personal sports was never my thing. I swam competitively in high school, and I was a lifeguard in college, but that's about it. I was not a runner, or a cyclist, not a football player or anything else. Over the years, I've made a weak to moderate effort to stay in shape by going to the gym and swimming regularly, but I frowned on running as a fast path to knee surgery, and at 6'3" and 220 pounds,