We're TRI-ing - FOUR Weeks to Go!

Karen: The Reston Sprint Triathlon is less than a month away.  Two exciting things happened for me this week, training-wise:

1. I got fitted for and bought my first pair of proper running shoes at Potomac River Running in the Reston Town Center.  The shoe-fitting process at PR is extensive, but easy. Apparently, I underpronate - I tend to roll my feet outwards with each stride.  So I was advised to purchase shoes that could counter that tendency and prevent damage. The shoes are sparkly and gorgeous, and not particularly expensive. They fit like a dream. I want to run everywhere now and never, ever take them off.  I swear I have become a runner based solely on a new pair of shoes. Get it? Solely? HA! I slay myself.

2. I came up with my training plan for the remaining days until the Triathlon. I will continue my strength training every weekday morning, alternating between upper and lower body heavy weight lifting, and then add an evening workout of running, biking, swimming, or Zumba.  On Sundays, we will do a “brick” workout; we will go for a three mile run after biking 12 miles to emulate the same events of the Tri. There will be a rest day approximately every five days with little or no activity.

There are not that many days left before this grand folly of ours.  Somehow training for this event has morphed into something I did not anticipate.  I’m no longer anxious that I will not be able to complete it. Instead, I am anxious about how I will continue to be this focused. I am becoming addicted to feeling this strong, capable, and healthy.  I want it to keep going. I want ME to keep going. 

It’s funny. Last summer’s Bucket List adventure had me dragging Tim across Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago. That’s the medieval pilgrimage route that was highlighted in the recent Martin Sheen film “The Way.”  One of the lessons we learned hiking 212 miles across the Spanish countryside is that even though the road eventually stops, the journey never ends.

I think triathlon training is going to be the same way.

Tim:  Thank You, Karen, for yet another inspiring post.  You optimism and Can Do attitude in the face of those pesky “facts” and the daunting “reality” of it all continues to defy the odds and, frankly, confuse me.  I am beginning to suspect some sort of chemical enhancement is behind this and whatever it is, I want some. Now.

I vaguely recall a two week death march in Spain, hauling heavy packs over huge mountains (in the rain), begging friendly Spanish people for a ride to the next town (or at least the next bar), and lots of collapsing and cursing and weeping.  Oh, and blisters the size of golf balls.  Good times.

Several exciting things happened to me this week, too, but only one I can mention in this family friendly blog:

I hurt myself playing softball last Tuesday; pulled a muscle in my groin.  Maybe I shouldn’t have even mentioned this one, but the groin muscle is actually on the upper part of the leg.

You can imagine how disappointed I was to discover that Karen Nightingale did not own a nurse costume among the several thousand outfits stuffing every closet in our home, but grateful she nursed me back to health.  And Thanks Be she found enough room for Another Pair of Shoes!

I took the week off to recover.  Nervous about my impending doom, I began poking around the web for tips and tricks to improve the odds I will survive this thing; especially that part where I could hypothetically drown.  Karen brought home a book.  I like books.

The more I know, the more I don’t know.  I believe this to be a fundamental truth of human existence.  As I acquire knowledge, I become aware of that much more knowledge I have not acquired.  And with the growing awareness of one’s own ignorance comes humility.  Three decades ago, I thought I was a walking encyclopedia.  Today, I just consider myself “reasonably well-informed.”

Just a few weeks ago, that younger Tim was snickering, “It’s swim, bike, run!  How hard could it be?”  Wiser Tim is now practicing breathing underwater in a big mixing bowl.  I never thought I would ever say, “Honey?  Remind me to practice breathing.” 

I practice breathing.

Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals or fitness experts.  Read this blog at your own risk.  No matter what the problem is, new shoes are the answer. Don't forget to breathe.