Who Knew Running in the Snow Could Be Fun!?

January 5, 2010

While I haven’t singed up for it yet ($500 is a big registration fee) ,my big goal for 2010 is to do the Rev3 iron distance triathlon in September. I did well enough training on my own for the 70.3’s last season but I know there is a huge step going up to the full distance so I thought it would be best to get a coach. I recently signed up to train with Carrie McCoy for the 2010 season. Not only did Carrie come highly recommended but she also has plenty of experience and a passion for coaching.

So I made it through my first week of training just fine. It’s just base building right now and I haven’t been slacking too much so it’s not too tough. However, this past Sunday was our first group workout of the year (A nice touch so you can interact with and get to know some fellow triathletes). This first workout was scheduled to be a run workout… Outside… In the cold… I hate the cold.

Let me repeat that: I HATE the COLD. Anything less than 60 and I am miserable (just ask Tani). I thought I might luck out and get descent weather but as the day got closer, the forecast looked worse and worse. Expected high for Sunday turned out to be about 7.

I went to the store and bought a new micro fleece hood that covers the head and face as well as running tights to wear under my looser running pants. Final outfit was running tights with heavy polyester running pants over top – short-sleeve dry fit shirt with a long-sleeve thermal shirt and a wind jacket – full face hat with another cap over that – gloves and sun glasses. As I pulled into the park I noticed several other runners dressed similarly so I felt good about my choices.

As we started off on the warm-up run, I was frozen; My fingers were numb and the rest of my wasn’t much better off. But the strangest thing happened; I actually warmed up enough that I started to enjoy the run. The sun was out and the trail was snow covered and I was actually having a good time in the cold. I was truly amazed. As we moved from the warm-up and into the main practice, it almost felt like any other workout. We alternated between running and core workouts laying on the parking lot asphalt and I felt so good I actually pulled the mask off of my face.

I guess the moral is that with the right gear, you can manage anything. Looks like I still have plenty of gear to buy. ;)

Leave a Comment » | training | Permalink
Posted by Aaron

What would you give up?

April 22, 2009

The TriSports.com blog’s latest post poses the question, which of the 3 sports would you give up.  While I’m sure most people’s answer is swimming, I can pretty confidently say mine is running. I grew up swimming and who doesn’t like to ride a bike? Running hurts. It’s painful, it sucks, and there is only a small percentage of time where it is actualy enjoyable for me.

With that being said, I actually had a pretty good track workout today. A good five miles worth of intervals; I felt fairly fast and confident.  And while I was pretty beat afterwards, I didn’t feel near death which is a bonus.  I can only hope that with practice I’ll be able to enjoy running enough to make me really have to think about which sport  I would give up.

What would you give up?

Leave a Comment » | training, triathlon | Permalink
Posted by Aaron

B-Fit B-Day Challenge

March 7, 2009

I stumbled across the B-Fit B-Day Challenge a few weeks ago. It goes like this:

Take your age and in any order:
1) Swim the number of yards in the first number(# multiplied by 1000 yards),
2) Run the number of miles in the second number,
3) Bike the number of miles in the combined number.

So a 45-year-old athlete would:
1) Swim 4000 yards 2) Run 5 miles 3) Bike 45 miles

If you choose to accept the B-Fit B-Day Challenge you must….

Bronze: Do all three (swim/bike/run) during the week of your Birthday.

Silver: All three (swim/bike/run) in the 3 days before, after, or on your B-Day.

Gold: Do all three (swim/bike/run) in 24-hours to celebrate your B-Day!

Platinum: Do all three in miles (swim first number in miles not yards/bike/run) in 24-hours to celebrate your B-Day!

So today was my birthday *pause for you to say “happy birthday”*.  I happened to have already registered for a 5k. And since Tani had to work all day, I thought it would be perfect.

The 5k started at 10am so my plan was to hit the pool in the morning and get the 3000m in, then do the 5k and follow that up with the bike.

I made it to my gym by 7:15am to find out that the pool was closed for maintenance. What!? So now what? In my frustration I didn’t even check to see when the pool would open. Luckily Aquatic Adventures was open so I was able to pay to swim there for the day. The 3000 meters went surprisingly well. It got a little slow and boring towards the middle but overall it was a pretty good experience especially having never swum that distance all at once before.

The swim didn’t take me as long as I thought (about 51 minutes) so I had plenty of time to get ready and make it taaron-katewaldron5ksmo the 5k. Got up to the race, checked in and met up with JJ and Ryan who were there to support me (Thanks guys!). The 5k went about as well as I could expect. I haven’t paid much attention to my running lately, I’m not a particularly good runner, and the 5k distance isn’t really my distance. Finished in 25:10. Had some great food from the event sponsors and then hit the road. This event was top notch for sure; Especially considering it was the inagural event. Lots of great stuff, food, prizes, music. It was also well organized and was all for a good cause.

My original plan was to go take a nap after the 5k and hit the bike in the evening figuring that I’d have to ride indoors anyway. Fortunately the weather was about as perfect as you can get in Ohio at the beginning of March; 74 degrees and sunny? Really? I grabbed my bike and hit a paved trail near the house. The trail is 12.5 miles round trip so I rode that twice to get me up to 25 miles.

I picked up my daughter from my parents and after some lunch we went out on our bikes to ride the remaining 8 miles.

Age:33 check, Swim 3000m check, Run 3 miles check, Bike 33 miles check. B-Fit B-Day Challenge complete! Gold style. This was definitely a fun challenge and a great way to kick off another year and another triathlon season.

3 Comments | race, training | Permalink
Posted by Aaron

First Swim Time Trial

February 25, 2009

I’ve been doing this base training plan for a little while now. It’s been nice having a structured plan to refer to. Today I found myself doing my first time trial in the water. The drill goes like this: Swim 3 x 300 m at the highest average speed possible. The goal is to keep all 3 within 15 seconds of each other. Once you’ve finished, you average them and divide by 3 to come up with a 100 m pace.

I kept all 3 within 10 seconds of each other with an average of just about 5 min / 300 m. or aproximately 1 sec every meter which makes it very easy to translate to any distance. While I think I should have done better,  if I kept that pace for my half-ironman (just under 2000 meters),  it would put me at 33 minutes which wouldn’t be too bad.

Overall I don’t feel too bad about the results. I can’t wait to compare these to results later in the season.

Leave a Comment » | training, triathlon | Permalink
Posted by Aaron

Coming out of Hibernation

February 18, 2009

Although I still have a good two months before I can really be outside on a regular basis (I know… but have I mentioned how much I hate the cold?) I can say that over the last week or so I have really awoke from my triathlon hibernation. I’ve been going through the motions the last couple months but I really just wasn’t feeling it; Forcing myself to make it to the gym.  But now I am starting to get really excited for the upcoming season. It seems I’m right on schedule. TRIFEST is only a couple weeks away and triathletes all over are starting to get their 2009 schedules lined up.

I’m already registered for Muncie in July and Augusta in September.  And my first 5k of the season will be on my birthday here in a couple weeks.

Here’s to a great 2009 season.

Leave a Comment » | race, training, triathlon | Permalink
Posted by Aaron

Stupid Cold

January 26, 2009

I started getting sick last Tuesday. And while I not officially “sick” anymore, I’m still not quite right. I had just started a 12-week base build workout schedule that I got from active.com. I was stoked to be back on quality training schedule but only got two good workouts in before I got knocked out by the cold.  I’m starting over next Monday which should lead straight into my half-ironman training in April.

Leave a Comment » | training | Permalink
Posted by Aaron