Triathlon Blog

I have been waking up late and missing my morning cardio workout and Yoga. I could just do my workout whenever I do get up, but I try to start working (not exercising) at 1:00pm everyday. If I started much later, I would either not get all my work done or I’d end up working past midnight.

I have been getting my nighttime workouts in.

I haven’t yet build biking into my regular workout routine. Now that the pool is closed, I need to do that. Although, I don’t have a car, so I often bike anywhere I want to go anyway as a means of transportation.

I haven’t decided to do any triathlons particular triathlons yet, let alone register for them. I want to do that soon, not only because the weather’s finally good enough, but mostly because it will motivate to keep up with my triathlon training.

Do you miss your workouts too? How do you (at least try to) stay on track with them? Tell me at my Triathlon Forums.

I wanted to blog earlier this week, and I plan to blog everyday from now on, but in the last few days I had to figure out how I’m going to start. I did go swimming on Thursday morning, and I did about 1700 yards.

I know I have to start training more than on just Tuesday and Thursday morning. I wrote down a 25 minute routine to do in the mornings when the pool isn’t open, consisting of squat thrusts, jumping jacks, etc. Unfortunately, I can’t find the paper at the moment, but when I do I’ll post it.

Additionally, I’m going to do a short Yoga routine. The Yoga routine won’t only be good to help develop the fitness necessary to do Triathlons, but also will help ensure I train my flexibility enough. I sometimes think I don’t stretch enough. The yoga routine I use is Power Yoga the Complete Workout - Stamina, Strength, Flexibility with Rodney Yee.

At night, I’m going to lift weights with a weight bench, barbell, and dumbbell set I have in my basement. I have to go light, though, because I hurt my shoulder a few months ago. I feel pain if I lift to heavy with my arms.

Witt all that exercise, I need to keep a serious eye on my nutrition. I have to make sure I am getting enough vitamins, minerals, protein, and energy to sustain my workouts and repair my muscles and such. However, I also want to make sure I am eating healthy, since I’m training for a triathlon I cannot afford to get fat. Since, I’m a vegan, I have special concerns as well. I currently take a protein powder supplement, and fortified cereal.

There’s one more major and immediate change I think it’s wise to make. However, unlike the others, I’m unsure if I really want to do this. I think I may need to stop drinking and smoking. I drink often, and smoke occasionally. Not only do I need to stop for the health benefits, but time concerns as well. I already work a lot, and I need to make sure I have enough time to train for triathlons. The problem with drinking is that I lost both the time I spend out drinking, and the time that I oversleep the next day, etc. What do you think? Discuss this issue in the forums, and I’ll make a decision before tomorrow.

As a semi-normal 20-year-old guy, I try to keep in reasonable shape. I spent a lot of time this last summer sprinting and jogging. I dislike running in the cold, so as the northeastern winter came I decided to lap swim in the town pool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, the only two mornings it opens to the public

Not only do I happen to live with my brother-in-law Dan (and my sister- his wife - and their baby girl Mikaela - my niece), but also he happens to work as a swim coach. He comes down with me and coaches me by writing my swim workouts and providing motivation. From what he tells me, when he finds his swimsuit or buys a new one, he plans to start swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays too.

The other day, on our way back home from the pool, he suggested something that would have probably never crossed my mind. He asked me if I wanted to do some triathlons, after extensive training of course.

In case you don’t know, a triathlon is an athletic event involving swimming, cycling and running, in that order. In most modern triathlons, these events are placed end-to-end in immediate sequence and a competitor’s official time includes the time required to transition between the individual legs of the race, including any time used for changing shoes and clothes.

I like the idea. I’m going to do it.

I’m completely new to triathlons, in that I’ve never even seen one. I know how to run, bike, and swim, but not with expertise. My endurance needs a whole lot of work.

It’s going to be a long hard road to become a bona fide triathelete. I’ve got a ton of constant training and research to do. I started this blog so I can share what I learn as I learn it and share my story as it develops.