Tag Archives: Triathlon

Ironman 70.3 Boulder (Half-Ironman) Training Begins

I’ve committed to swim/bike/running a half Ironman – specifically the Ironman 70.3 Boulder on August 7, 2011. A half Ironman is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. The same day. Back to back. I have 133 days from right now to get ready.

I never thought I would have so much anxiety around something that was half of something else. Until recently, I thought if you were doing a half-something, that just meant you were half the badass of someone doing twice as much. Half a badass isn’t something I ever aspired to be. My thoughts on this matter have changed. I’m now a little anxious. So, I purchased a couple of books, I’m building a training schedule and I’m seeking friends who know more about swimming, biking and running then I do.

Fortunately, there isn’t a better place to train for a triathlon then Boulder, CO. I’ve been finding great help in unlikely places. As I settled in to read the Triathlete’s Training Bible the other night, I noticed the foreword is by Wes Hobson, my realtor. Wes has competed in over 220 triathlons from sprint to Ironman distance and was selected “Triathlete of the Year” by the U.S. Olympic Center. He also helped the ninja and I find a fantastic townhouse we are in the process of purchasing.

An awesome mentor and friend introduced me to Mary Miller, a professional triathlete currently training for a triathlon in Australia taking place the beginning of April. We were able to meet for a late afternoon coffee and she was able to put comfort me a little by providing some advice on wetsuits and suggesting a couple of events that might help me get ready. She suggested I sign up for the Stroke and Stride at the Boulder Reservoir so I can get used to open water swimming and wearing a wetsuit. The Stroke and Stride is also a great fit for me because it’s in the same reservoir the Ironman 70.3 takes place there so I will be able to build some confidence that will calm my nerves on race day.

Last but not least, I’ve been able to find a few people who were competitive swimmers in college and asked one of them to give me some lessons and write some workouts to get me to a place where I can swim a little over a mile. I am very good at not drowning, but I know I’m not a very efficient swimmer. I don’t go anywhere fast. My first lesson is today and I’m really excited to see what her comments are.

What lessons have you learned preparing for a big challenge?

I am not a fish. I belong on dry land… not in water…

…but I’m spending some time in the water these days. I’m learning to swim for the Ironman 70.3 Boulder on August 7 at the Boulder Reservoir. I’m not sure why I signed up. I’m a runner. I bike on vacation, or to get from one place to another. I only swim when laying on a surf board, while playing in the ocean, or to keep from downing if I fall off a boat.

I have a funny feeling a friend wanted me to do it, and when I refused, I think he said something like, “Come on!!” When I still said no, I’m sure he said, “Alright, you probably wouldn’t finish anyway.”

Note to world: A challenge is my Kryptonite. If you want me to do something I would really prefer not to do, the easiest way to get me on board is to tell me you don’t think I can. “Oh yeah?!” I will say, “We’ll see about that.” Then, I’ll probably storm off while you watch me go with a smile on your face, because, you will have won. I fall for it all the time.

Since I got back from my trip with ExperiencePlus!, I’ve gone swimming three times. The first time, I planned on swimming for half and hour. I made it 12 minutes and I’m sure I spent three of those 12 minutes looking at the giant clock on the wall and wondering why it was moving so slowly. The second time I made it about 15 minutes. Yesterday I made it 15 minutes again but I almost doubled my number of laps thanks to a random woman at the gym who told me to, “Stretch forward during each stroke, it will turn your shoulders and help you breathe.”

Learning to swim has been difficult and frustrating and I’ve only been to the pool three times (I’m not a patient person). So, I am planning to do what I always do when attempting something new. Read a book on it. I ordered three books from Amazon to prepare for the challenge.

Let’s hope one of them helps!