Right before I went to sleep last night, I pulled up the hour-by-hour forecast and knew my planned open water swim was likely not going to happen. There was a 40% chance of thunderstorms and the wind at the lake was supposed to be at least 10 mph, meaning the water would likely be too choppy even if the rain held off. As soon as I woke up, I knew my swim would not be a reality. It was dark over the lake and the rain was already coming down pretty heavily.
I ran yesterday and have a run tomorrow, so I couldn't run today. This left me only one option - the stationary bike. I have a hard time running and biking indoors. The treadmill for me is like torture. I'd rather run in the pouring rain and brave sweltering heat than be stuck at the gym on the treadmill. It makes me feel like I'm in one of those hamster wheels and no amount of music or TV can distract me enough to enjoy it. It just doesn't work for me. When it comes to biking indoors, I prefer to be on my trainer so it's closer to actually biking, but in a pinch, I'll use a stationary if I have to. I get bored so even with the best of intentions to ride one hour, I bailed at 45 minutes.
Awhile back, I had gotten really good about doing 100 crunches each day in an effort to build some core strength. It lasted for a brief time, but after my big Memorial Day in DC, I stopped doing them entirely. So I started back at it today with 100 crunches and 30 oblique crunches on each side. I threw in squats and lunges as well. Because in addition to the NYC Tri, I have the Chipotle Underwear Run the Friday before to prepare for. What could be better than running 1.7 miles in Central Park with your two craziest friends (the only people willing to do it) in your underwear on a Friday night? And better yet, there will be Chipotle burrito bowls waiting at the finish line. Now that's a photo worth capturing.
I'm flying back to New York tonight and have some pretty big training days ahead. I'll be swimming, biking and running tomorrow, and swimming again Friday. About a week ago, I signed up for a Sprint tri on Saturday, thinking it would be good practice for the NYC Tri. I don't want NYC ruined by irrational, first-timer fears and thought this might be a good way to beat that. However, my open water swimming and subsequent pool swim here did not go as well as I hoped so I'm a bit concerned about this race. I was inclined to bag it and just keep working toward the NYC, but after some reflection, I've decided to do it. I am doing it with absolutely no expectations and I'm leaving my ego behind. I know there is a slight chance I won't be able to complete the swim and if that happens, it will be my first-ever DNF. I finished a half-marathon once on a fractured leg so the thought of a DNF is new territory for me. But the swim is short, straight and close to the shore, so I think I will finish, even if I have to side stroke and back stroke my way through. I know many others have had to even with the best of preparation and I don't care if I'm the last person out of 600 racers to exit the water. So wish me luck. If all goes well, I'll be reporting on my experience Saturday. If it doesn't go well, I may have to break the beer moratorium yet again.
Sport - Biking (stationary)
Distance - 11.03 miles
Time - 45:00
LinkWithin
I came across your blog from beginnertriathlete.com. I have my first marathon this sunday. Well I did a marathon many years ago, but that was then. This is my first year doing triathlons and the first is scary, but it was easier than I thought it would be. But my first was a sprint. Since then, that was in November 2007, I've done an olympic distance and just finished a half ironman.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, after reading about your marathon adventures it gave me some encouragement for my own marathon. Thanks. Good luck with your tri and the NY marathon.