Category: 
Triathlon racing season has, for me at least, ended. About 9 or so months ago I was essentially a gym rat with no running, cycling or swimming training worth mentioning. Somewhere around New Year’s Day I got the crazy notion that I was going to attempt to do one triathlon this year, and Kerry agreed to help me through training for the big event.
Unlike most other triathletes though (ok, there you go, I’ve finally admitted it - I’m a triathlete. Satisfied, honey?), I decided to target one in August as the “big” or “A” race, and planned on racing 1 or maybe 2 triathlons beforehand just to get a feel for what they were like. Of course I targeted Timberman, only one of the biggest triathlons around. Naturally there was a minor issue. Well, two or three actually: (a) I had no bicycle, (2) I have flat feet and was President of the Anti-Running League of New England and (iii) I hadn’t swum in, oh, 20 or so years.
And it was winter. In New England. With record snowfall.
So of course, I had to get a trainer. And then I had to try my hand at racing bicycles (summary: I suck). Not content with that, I had fun at my first triathlon and proved that I have a future in sabotage. Around about the same time I managed to screw up my Achilles tendon, putting my running training back by about 3-4 months (I’m still recovering from the lack of running but I managed to run a 7:15/mile 5 miler tonight so I’m moderately content with that). And then the triathlons came fast and furious:
| Event | Date | Placing |
| Lowell Spring Fling Triathlon | 05/25/08 | 14/76 |
| Ludlow Sprint | 06/01/08 | 99/274 |
| Vermont Sun | 06/22/08 | 27/177 |
| PowWow triathlon | 07/12/08 | 43/415 |
| Lowell Mill Cities Triathlon | 07/20/08 | 6/59 |
| Salem Witch City Triathlon | 08/10/08 | 52/296 |
| Timberman Sprint Triathlon | 08/16/08 | 84/988 |
| Kennebunk Fireman Triathlon | 08/24/08 | 53/369 |
| Pumpkinman Sprint Triathlon | 09/06/08 | 35/373 |
| Lobsterman Olympic Triathlon | 09/13/08 | 127/450 |
And of course for good measure I felt compelled to run the Bill Luti 5 miler (finishing 125th out of 332 finishers).
So now I’m back to base training with the goal of actually being able to run consistently and increase my running mileage. Hopefully I’ll get consistent enough that I’ll manage to get in more than the one and only track workout I managed this year and associated with that, get faster.
That way I won’t have to resort to sabotage to beat people.
And strangely enough, with all the ITB pain, Achilles tendon issues, shin splints, sore knees, aching quads and general exhaustion from lots of training that my body wasn’t accustomed to, I couldn’t be happier and am looking forward to doing better next season.
I guess that means that the descent has reached it’s final destination, the weather is gorgeous and no, the coffee isn’t cold.
