Getting Ready for a Triathlon

It has been a little over a year since the last time I did a triathlon. I was out of shape, and it was one of the most pitiful athletic outings of my life.

Well, I decided to sign up for a triathlon this coming Saturday out at Pace Bend park: the Dilloman. It’s a sprint distance, and I am thinking it should be a much better experience. We have gone swim a few times in the lake at the gym, and I must say, I have never felt so good swimming. I think my increases aerobic fitness is helping me to keep my breathing much more under control.

I mean, I am not a fast swimmer. But I can get through the 750 meters smoothly and without having to stop, and that is miles of improvement over previous attempts.

The 20 km bike ride doesn’t concern me at all. I am going to try to put down a fast time. I am thinking I should be able to do pretty well at this.

Lastly the run. It’s just 5 km, so nothing to worry about. Right? Well, except for that today I noticed the weird sensation in my back and legs that indicates nerve irritation. Also, I wore some new shoes today and my goofy foot position while walking has given me a possible blister on my right heel.

Fantastic. The one time I’m actually in shape to do a tri, weird stuff happens. I am hoping that stretching and rolling over the next few days will help the back issue. For the possible blister I will be wearing comfortable and soft shoes here on out. Carrie and I went running on Sunday before our swim, and I think spending the last two days at home in the office chair after running did me no favors. 

From going to the PT last year, it’s all an irritation issue. So if I can let that nerve relax, I should be able to get through the 5 km. I’m not really sure what happened, though, as my core is a lot stronger this year. I have not been doing any running, and I haven’t been doing any strength training for the last month and a half (hence no core work) so I guess that’s part of it. I don’t know.

Here’s hoping it all goes fine. I am really hoping to go after this race pretty hard. I know I have the fitness to do okay. Just making it through the swim smoothly will help my placing a lot. If I can get through the run without my back hurting, things will be good. If every step is an electric schock down my butt and hamstrings, we have a problem.

Fingers crossed.