The Army of Runners

I left work early today to get to the park to meet my group of triathletes with whom I will be running with for the next 4 and a half months. I say "Group" but there were about over 150 people that showed up for the first running Group Training Session (GTS). I felt like I was running with an army. Some were slow, some were fast and some just walked; but all were energized and were having fun. We did three ten minute runs interspersed with one minute of squats and then some stretching. I enjoyed the running; it was cold outside but by the second running drill I was warmed up and before you knew it the 40 minutes of running was up. I think the best thing about doing group runs or swims is that the time just flies - before you know it the workout is over. The other thing is that you meet people that share the same apprehensions as you and you know that they will help you get through it ! I am travelling to Miami this week and have to keep up my training when I am on the road - looking forward to get some runs in when I am there.                  

The Training Does Commence

Yesterday was my first Group Training with the Team in Training organization. We met at Asphalt Green at 9:30pm. I wish we were not meeting that late - I am usually winding down at 9:30 in the night curled up with a book or in front of my TV. I guess that is going to have change on Monday's. There were about 50 of us last night. We swam half a mile after doing a few warm up laps. I have to say, it was fun swimming with a group of people - even with all the bumping into each other. We had 2 coaches who gave us a few words of encouragement and some tips before we went into the pool. We did some drills concentrating on breathing, strokes and positioning of our head in the water. Technique is so important and directly proportional to the amount of energy that you expend during the swim. Tonight is the group run - I am looking forward to it. I leave for Miami on Thursday for work so will miss the Group session on Saturday - but so far so good.      

Official Beginnings

This Saturday my Team In Training Group meets for its first Run ! Very exciting to finally start training with other people. Also - I have a colleague at work that has also decided to do the NY Nautica Triathlon and go for the training sessions with me. We will meet thrice a week; Mondays for a swim, Tuesdays for a run and Saturdays for a bike ride. I am looking forward to new friendships and an elevated level of fitness. My training so far has been all-right. I have heard that one becomes obsessive about training - I have not reached that point as yet. I am able to run about 4 - 5 miles and swim a mile. The concept of doing the entire Tri is still very daunting. I sometimes wonder 'why did I sign up for this - crazy crazy me'! On the raising money front I am 25% way there - so looking for more support to get to the $3,000 mark. Promise to write more frequently - now that training has Officially begun !
   

Its getting good (I think)

This past weekend was a little slack; I have to say I lost a little steam. I blame work for it - I had to work over the weekend and then on Monday evening - which screwed up my routine - oh well there will always be reasons why not I guess. I really did not want to loose momentum, so like a good athlete I made a workout schedule for the week and I really want to beat it ! I swam 74 laps (1 mile) yesterday, which was tough; not because I was tired but because my leg kept cramping. I had to tell myself that I have to keep going on - what if I cramp on race day; so I did and finished the mile. Today, I did pilates at 7 am and a crazy spin class at 7pm. Can't remember the last time I went to the gym twice in one day - the momentum is building - Yesssss! Building my core is key to success; I have to be strong deep down !        

Visualization

It was a cold damp evening; I walked up three flights of stairs quickly; I really did not want to be late. I entered the room to the far left; it was dimly lit, stuffy and hot – not what I was expecting. There was soothing music playing in the background. Everyone had taken his or her place. I walked up to an empty spot and began my one-hour journey of what would be a most grueling spin class. It is so difficult to push yourself sometimes – I try and keep myself motivated through visualizing.

I actually imagine what it would be like when I am running on race day – people cheering, me getting to that finish line, would I see familiar faces or would I not. When I spin I think about the wind, the circular motion of the wheels propelling me forward. I enjoy swimming so I don’t need to visualize as much to keep me going. Another tactic that helps me is interval training especially on my runs. I break down every mile into 200 or 300 meter intervals and vary the speed. This helps me get through the mile and makes my goals smaller and easy to accomplish which makes the mile just fly by.

I have once again started logging my workouts – to see my progress you can click here. I post my goals every Monday for the week and then try to track successfully against them.

Team In Training Information Session

What a day ! I woke up this morning to meet my wonderful trainer Terrance. We did a grueling workout in the pool. This was the first time that I have run in water - it is quite an experience and very grueling. We interspersed 10 laps (20 lengths) of running and swimming with push ups and planks - did this routine three times. It is so interesting how heavy ones' body feels when you hoist it out of the pool. I felt like I was carrying a huge piece of lead on me when doing my push ups. I Hope to get to a mile soon; which will be to do this routine four times.

In the evening I went to the Team in Training information session. I got there at 6:30 - there were about 50 people - most of whom were doing this kind of thing for the first time. The program consists of raising money and in exchange getting a group of people who are training with you and a coach who would train you all for the big race day. They seemed to have their stuff together - so I signed up; which means that I have to raise $2,700 by June 1, 2010. I figure 27 people need to give me $100 each - how tough can that be ? I say this now - we will see in time how giving people really are. The training starts end of Feb and will consist of group runs, bikes & swims three times a week; as well as clinics that will help you with technique. I look forward to starting !

Back to the Grind

I did not train while I was in India or over the Christmas - New year break (not surprising); which means I have had to start from scratch this week and build up my stamina. The good news is that I am going to attend a Team in Training session next week and this time round I plan on getting the location right ! Click here to see a schedule for when you can attend on of these sessions. Hope to get back in the swing of things by the end of January and then post more often about the trials and tribulations of triathlon training. My plan by the end of this month to run 4 miles at a stretch, Swim for an hour, and go to as many spin classes as I can - starting at 6:30 am tomorrow. Hope to get the holiday laziness out of my bones.