Rest

16 hour work day. No exercise.

Strength Training

Did some weights at the gym.

Rest

Day of rest

Tired

I went in to the gym and did a strength training workout. I was going to swim this afternoon, but I can hardly lift my arms up they are so tired. Tomorrow and Tuesday are my rest days, but I think tomorow's rest needs to start now. I don't want to overdo. I am beat down.

Way Home

On the way home from a twelve hour shift, I stopped at the gym. I ran one mile on the treadmill, and then did two miles on the bike.

Swim

Did strength training this morning.

And then this afternoon I hit the pool. First time doing laps in years.

50 laps without stopping other than once to tie my bathing suit because it was coming off when I pushed off the wall.

50 laps at 25 yards a lap = 0.71 miles.

Took me a half an hour.

I felt strong.

Then I went to Burger King and bought a small whopper junior with small fries.

I also bought two Triathlon magazines.

But I don't want to get ahead of myself.

Stationary Bike

3.8 miles on the stationary bike in 20 minutes. Felt good. I would have done the whole 5 miles, but the machine stopped at 20 minutes.

Now the trick will be getting on a real bike.

Also good was the fact I went to the gym after a 12 hour shift.

If I don't work tomorrow, I plan on hitting the pool for a 1/4 mile swim. Also strength training.

Three Quarters of a Mile

Hit the Treadmill at the gym. twenty minutes, during which I ran without stopping for 7 minutes, totalling 3/4 mile for those 7 minutes. Boy do I feel great!

I'm working 12 hours tomorrow, so don't know if I'll do the gym before or after work. Tomorrow is a lifting day with maybe a little stationary bike.

A Quarter Mile

Went to the gym for my regular strength training. Instead of a five minute treadmill fast walk warm up I went ten minutes, including running for a quarter of a mile. Wow! Only 2 and 3/4 miles to go. A start, although admitedly a weak one.

Tomorrow I am debating doing a mile run on the treadmill or if it is a nice morning, I may even, go to the nearbye resevoir that has a three mile walking path and try to walk run it.

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I am not even going to think about any bike related matters until I can run three miles.

My Quest

Will this blog be a record of patheticness or a journal of glorious achievement?

***

Okay. Here's the deal. I'm forty-eight years old. I work out. But just strength training. I'm not the greatest on the cardio. I basically don't do it. Sill I'm in decent shape. I think I look alright. I weigh 227 lbs. But I am also 6'8."

A couple months ago I read an article in Men's Health on-line newsletter, Anyone Can be a Triathlete. It has stuck with me. The key, of course, is that you can do one of these mini-triathlons -- 1/2 mile swim, 10 mile bike ride, four mile run. Now that's at least doable -- attainable without quitting your job and dedicating your whole life to training.

As a kid I watched the Iron Man Triathlons on ABC's Wide World of Sports, and was fascinated by them. I didn't ever think I could do one. Now, thanks to these min-triathlon's at least being in a triathlon-- finishing one -- is possible.

Not that it will be easy.

Here's my breakdown of the three legs:

Swimming -- I'm a decent swimmer. I've swum a mile before. Probably about six years ago I belonged to a pool and swam laps on a regular basis. I live right across the street from the place. While I probably couldn't swim a mile today unless my life depended on it, I will easily be able to get where I need to go.

Biking -- Here's the big problem. I haven't ridden a bike since I was a kid and went over the handle bars on my first bike with hand breaks. I was knocked unconcious, had ten stitches, and never grew an adult front tooth beacuse my adult tooth must have ripped right through my gums because I have a scar there. This is going to be a big deal. Also, because I am a paramedic I respond all the time to bike accidents. On the good side, I live about twelve miles from my work place and could concievable ride my bike to and from work once I learn how to ride.

Running -- Another problem. I don't think I have ever run more than two miles in my life. I doubt I could run a quarter of a mile today unless of course my life depended on it. I get winded easily, and have to lean over hands on my knees coughing and spitting.

But I could be a triathlete. I just want a tee-shirt that says participant triathlon on it, and to know that I ran and completed a course.

I have already found out that in the summer in a neighboring town there is a weekly mini-tiathlon. Here's the description:

Winding Trails Tri-Training Series
The weekly triathlon series will run on Tuesday evenings at Winding Trails. This year’s series will consist of a 1/4-mile swim or kayak in Dunning Lake, a 8k trail ride (you must use a hybrid or off-road bike for the biking portion of the race), and a 5K-trail run through our beautiful woods. All ability levels are encouraged to come out and train in this friendly and fun environment.

1/4 mile swim, 8K trail ride, 5K trail run.

8K is a little less than five miles and 5K is a little over 3 miles.

So what have I done about it all so far?

I bought a pair of running shoes a week ago. I found out I was a size fourteen when I have been wearing thirteens all these years. The problem was the clerk sent me home with the 13s instead of the 14s and when I went back the 14s had been sold, so now they are on order.

I bought a book, Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week, about triathlons and how to prepare for them.

I read or skimmed it last night.

I was going to run today after work but I left my gear at home. I could run when I get home, but my girlfriend is there waiting for me. She has been away for several days. It will be hard to get away from her.

There is tomorrow morning. I don't have to work till nine.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned.