Long before marriage, children, and the upstate NY winters, I started training for triathlons. 2012 marks my 10th year in the sport and this summer I am scheduled to complete my 50th race. In the early days, before I turned 30, I could - and would - get up on any given weekend day and participate in an event up to 2 hours from my home. Then I'd drive home and spend the rest of the day lounging around or running errands, pleased with myself for getting up predawn to work up a great sweat. These days, it takes a little more planning and a lot more training.
Let me clarify before I go any further... I realize that many consider me nutty for the events that I think sound like fun. Any distance event, or any event that gets you moving is good and should be applauded. Is your goal to walk a mile a few days a week? GREAT!
My schedule for the next 6 months is based around two events; The MusselMan Triathlon and the Wineglass Marathon. The MusselMan is a half-iron distance event consisting of a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike ride, concluding with a 13.1 mile run. I use the term "run" loosely because in Coach T's world it's more of a plod. This event is on July 15th and training has begun, hence the 5:45 am runs through the greater Glens Falls area. The marathon is 26.2 miles of straight running (or plodding, or walking, wogging, etc) and is on September 30th. The website tells me that I have 171 days to go. In a fit of insanity, I also entered the lottery for the NYC Marathon on November 4th. I'm not sure if I'm hoping to get in or hoping to NOT get in. Either way, I will know by the end of April if I can take a long nap on October 1.
Preparing for these events, I have peppered in others along the way, treating them as training days. It helps to talk to the other participants, enjoy the course support, and maybe get a little swag. I also have to plan very carefully - I look for races that have children's events for example so that my pre-schooler can "go for racing" too. Additionally, I know that I can not train too much too quickly, as evidenced by "the great mono relapse" of 2010. With this in mind, I am slowly building up my mileage, have signed up for Friday morning spin classes, and do kind things like bring husband breakfast in bed on Saturday so he will watch the kids for a few hours each weekend. The training also has to be supported by enough rest and balanced nutrition - which takes even more planning. My goals are set and now I need to take the steps to achieve them.
Summertime in upstate NY offers a cornucopia of events - running, walking, cycling, triathlon, kayaking, and swimming - just to name a few. You can find a listing at http://www.active.com/ or through your local club. Many offer options for all ages so the family can be active together.
When planning my schedule, I like to support JFA client events and those are marked with an asterisk. Here is my how summer is looking so far:
May 6 - Literacy Run *also on this day is the 2012 Run for Kidneys at the Great Escape which is much closer to home. I have a decision to make.
May 17 - CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge will kick off a busy weekend (Go Team JFA!)
May 19 - Tuff eNuff 5K Obstacle Course* to benefit the Prevention Council
May 20 - Cohoes Founders Day 15K
June 3 - Tour de Cure ride for diabetes
June 9 - Lexington Family Services 5K*
June 24 - Adirondack Distance Run
June 30 - North Country Triathlon
July 15 - MusselMan!
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| Love the running mussels |
To say that I have filled my weekends in May and June is an understatement but I love participating in events - it beats hitting the roads alone. On the plus side, I am guaranteed my dose of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin)!
Come out and join me at any of these events and get your dose of vitamin D too!
