I should have known, that the early season training could have been problematic, not only my own motivations, but also the good old British weather playing its wintery hand. Friends, colleagues and triathletes have been warning me for weeks. ‘Tom, when is your first triathlon,’ they would ask. End of March I would reply.
There were two types of response. Firstly, the sucking of air, the type of noise people make, when watching a football match and seeing a rather untimely tackle, that sends the recipient player into rolls of agony. The second, could be perceived as a more positive response, when they say, ‘that’s a good race; I have done it a few times, although it can be quite snowy at that time of year.’
Reflection on my triathlon challenge
It turns out, that the snow can make training quite tricky when the heavens open and the snow falls. However, I have to say, it was also a chance to reflect on the past few weeks. I am five weeks into training and have just seven remaining until my triathlon challenge - almost at the halfway point.
As I talk about my experiences over the past few weeks, it’s actually quite inspiring how enthusiastic friends and family have been and how it motivates you to keep going. Although the distances aren’t huge, the prospect of combining all three elements, is still widely regarded as a significant challenge and has made me feel rather proud, when informing people of my first triathlon.
I have even begun looking past my date with destiny in March, and started to flick through the British Triathlon Annual Handbook, that rests on my desk, investigating what other events are coming up in the local area. A long distance triathlon perhaps? Don’t worry, just joking! Certainly, the prospect of another sprint type event would be very much in the forefront of the mind. The prospect of an open-water swim wouldn’t be ruled out, although realistically, that may be one for 2013.
The training
Last week, was a tough week, but actually it was tougher because I wanted it to be tougher. The words of Alan Rapley and
Lucy Hall kept coming into my mind. How important it is to keep your training moving and not just plod along.
Following my swim coaching from Alan and Lucy, I couldn’t wait to get back into the pool, and finally managed to fit a session in on Thursday. Whilst spending a lot of time focussing on my technique and trying to remember what tips, I had received earlier that week, I started doing various sets of 100m, with some aiming at reducing my stroke rate and others at just purely getting my breathing right.
Whilst doing all of this, the time ticked over, and when I finally stuck my head above water and recounted the number of lengths, I realised in a slightly shocked manner that I had actually completed over a mile. Not only did this fill me with a real sense of achievement, but also made me realise that I shouldn’t be limiting my sights on completing a 400m swim, but setting my vision on completing a 400m swim, in the best possible way!
Moving away from my local leisure centre pool, the run has also been high on the agenda. Coupled with a few lone runs and a group run with colleagues, I have seen yet more real progress. While the seconds are coming down, the desire to get out there and run is heading in the opposite direction. On Saturday, I physically wanted to jump out of bed, just so I could go for a run. This is certainly a new concept.
The snows
However, back to where I started, the snow has arrived so this week will be focussed on treadmills, turbo trainers and building on the swim success. I hope that towards the end of the week, the icy surrounds will subside. Otherwise, it may be a case of donning the skis and practising a little winter tri!
