First Blog

So I enter the world of blogging today. I considered Twitter, but I don't get it. Plus I feel silly following people... or asking people to follow me. I'm sure it's a great form of social media, but again... I don't get it.

This blog is going to serve as an outlet for a few things: my training journal for triathlons, my outlet to vent for said training and to serve as somewhat of a sounding board for the random thoughts that come up from time to time. So with that said, here goes!

I've been through some big life changes over the last year and some-odd months. As of January 2010 I became a divorced father of a great little boy. Up until that point my interests were weight training / bodybuilding, coaching football and mountain biking. The weight training and bodybuilding were indirect results of living in Minnesota and looking for something indoors to do during the long winters. At any point throughout the year I would step on the scale and see upwards of 205 pounds. That felt really heavy and often found myself losing breath just going up one flight of stairs. But through the tough times of late 2009 and early 2010 the stress and negative energy zapped me of 20 pounds. Although it was a gut check for all of the work that I had put in over the last five years, I actually felt better and wanted something positive to do with this new physique.

Going back about 15 years, I was interested in triathlons. But being in the Navy, traveling and training typically put a kabash on most long term goals. (Or at least that's the excuse that I used.) Adding to that, I picked up an interest in bull riding and there was oh so much more glory in that! However, in my current state and loads of time to kill I decided to realize that goal over the next year or so.

By mid-2010 I started my triathlon training. I leveled out to a svelt 175 pounds and increased my running endurance. I purchased a bike in August and tried out a couple of triathlon courses for local races. It was at that point that I realized two things: I need to start swim training and I really need to work on running after riding a bike 15 plus miles. I also realized that I would shelf my idea of entering a tri until 2011.

To close out the 2010 year I did enter a "fun" running race in October and an indoor triathlon in November. I finished the 5K in 22:08 and took 7th in the indoor tri. (I later met the guy who took 1st and humbly congratulated him. He's also a blogger here, SteveInASpeedo.) But that was enough for me to get started in this crazy life.

At this point I am eight weeks out from my first triathlon which is being held at White Bear Lake on June 13. I invested in a tri coach, masters swim and a little over $1,000 worth of accessories for my bike. The weather has finally reached nice enough temps to run and bike outside, but the lakes are just now losing the ice layer. I'm hoping to get into the water by mid-May and do some open water swims (OWS.) I plan on running a 10K in May to supplement my training (and keep it interesting with a little competitive flair.) Other than that, I'll be doing bricks which are two legs of a triathlon that help train your body for the transitions from one to the other. I have only done one (20 mile bike to a 5 mile run) and this did not go so well. My legs and lower back locked up like it was protesting any and all exercise. It didn't help that it was 55 degrees with a cold wind blowing in my face at 15 mph. The only word to come out of my mouth after the second mile was "ouch." Humility!

So that's all for today. Tomorrow I am flying out to St Louis for a wedding. Should get in a couple of good long runs while I'm there as the weather looks great... comparitively!