We're TRI-ing!

Tim: There are now [whole number between 12 and 14] weeks until the Reston Sprint Triathlon on June 3.  For me, this past week was all about planning.  Karen is all about the working out, but I don’t want to break a sweat until I have a good plan in place to survive.

Before I talk about the big plan though, a big shoutout to Doug and LeeAnn from Bonzai Sports for hosting the February Reston Triathlon Happy Hour last Tuesday at the American Tap Room at Reston Town Center.

I’m happy to report that I won some sort of bike computer gizmo as one of the many great door prizes.  In addition, Professional Triathlete Margie Shapiro sat down with Celebrity Blogger Karen Berry and talked about - I’m not sure, but knowing Karen, I bet shoes and clothing came up at least once.

I got lots of advice from a variety of folks  with whom I had the chance to chat:

“Don’t use your legs when you swim.”

“It’s a bike race.”

“The pool is shallow enough to touch bottom if you get tired.” (Me: YAY!)

“Keep your body horizontal when you are swimming to reduce drag.”

“Budget 20 minutes for the swim, 45 minutes for the bike and 35 minutes for the run.”

I also gave advice, but it was all about beer choices at the bar.  Please click through the pictures (Now with Amusing Captions!), most being used by kind permission of Bonzai Sports and photographer Jenny Ruley.

The rest of the week was spent coming up with a plan.  First, I decided to break the triathlon into three separate parts, which makes more sense than you think because “Triathlon” means, in some dead language (Greek, I think), “three” (tri-)  “ways to die” (athlon).  So I decided to call the 400M swim the “Don’t Drown” section, the 20K bike ride the “Don’t Crash” leg and the final 5K run will simply be called the “Don’t Fall Down, Skin your Knee, and Cry Like a Big Baby” part. 

Sounds like a plan to me.

Karen: A seasonal allergy attack put something of a kibosh on my physical training this week, but thanks to some awesome advice I received from other Reston triathletes at this month's Happy Hour, I am working on my mental game. This week is all about Visualization.

Tim: Visualization?

Karen: Shhh. I’m in the middle of my mental training montage. It’s got a Lady Gaga soundtrack. Also? Among all the boxes remaining, there are 59 Girl Scout cookies in our house.

Tim: Okaaaaaaaayyyyy...

Karen: I’ve decided to rebrand the activities of the Tri to from “Swimming, Biking and Running” to “Splashing, Sitting and Prancing” (like a pretty, pretty pony.) There are 58 Girl Scout cookies in our house.

Tim: Prancing? You’re going to prance for 5K?

Karen: I’m also rebranding the periods between the activities from “Transitions” to “Segues”. It sounds fancier.

Tim: I like fancy!

Karen: What do you think about costume changes? Feathers! Too much? 57.

Tim: I’m down with costume changes; not sure about the feathers - there's no flying.

Karen: I’m mentally choreographing the triumphant Victory dance at the end. Perhaps a musical number? OOo HEY! Flash mob doing “I Was Born This Way”!!

Tim: Well, I'm sure there'll be a DJ at the finish line. I'll find out if we can get this onto his or her playlist when you cross the finish line.

Karen: 55. Thin Mints are Thin.

Tim: Can I have a cookie?

Karen: Your life insurance policy is in my name, right?

Tim: Yes ....

Karen: Here.

Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals or fitness experts.  Obviously.  We would also like to stress we are in no way implying in that last part that Girl Scout Cookies are life-threatening or even remotely unhealthy.  To the contrary, we heartily endorse Girl Scout Cookies as the cornerstone of any Triathlete's diet. Please visit Daisy Troop 1538's cookie booth at North Point Giant on Saturday, March 10 between 9am and 11am to stock up on this critical training foodstuff.