Yes, I'm still alive....and training!

Some friends, ok almost everyone who follows this blog has reminded me of late that I have not updated my blog. Honestly, there are probably a thousand excuses why I have not updated lately. Most pressing is NO TIME. I'm reminded on a weekly basis just how tiring it can be to swim, bike, run, strength train, be a husband, a father of 2 little girls, and be a manager!

I'm officially 1 month away from my first Triathlon. I'm doing the Tempe International Sprint Triathlon on May 17th. Although, crossing that finish line will validate the training; I've already considered myself a Triathlete, by training for it. I've spent the last couple of months trying to balance everything.

First things first, swimming! In February, I took a 4 week masters program out at ASU to properly learn how to swim freestyle for triathlons. I was amazed at how much I didn't know and I'm amazed at how much I learned during this 4 week program. No, I'm not Michael Phelps but I honestly feel like I learned proper technique and skills that I can practice. Practice, that's what I've been doing with this...practice, practice, practice! I'm typically in the pool about 3 times a week doing approximately 800-1000 meters. Ah, yes that's the next thing....learning to convert meters/yards in to feet. A good general rule is that 400 meters is equivalent to approximately 1/4 mile. With all of this, I can still say that swimming is still a challenge! However, like anything else, the more I do it, the more comfortable it will feel....hopefully.

Biking, well this is the one area that I've given so, so attention to. I'm typically on the bike 2 times a week. One day a week, I try to ride to work, and then once on the weekend I couple my ride with a run. FYI to those who want to fill their head with useless knowledge. When you couple a bike ride with a run right after, it is called a Brick. Anyway, as I move into the longer Tri distances it's gonna be important that I spend MUCH MUCH more time on the bike because it's the sport in which you are on it the longest and can therefore make up the most time.

Running, well believe it or not, since this is my backbone, it has gotten the least amount of attention because dare I say it...."it's the most natural and easiest for me" right now. It doesn't mean that I'm not doing it but typically I've been doing my mid week runs as a warm up to my strength training sessions at the gym. This is usually 30-45 minutes 2 times during the week on the treadmill and 1 time on the weekend outside as part of my Bricks.

I've tried focusing my strength training sessions at the gym (2x a week) on Triathlon specific exercises focusing on the shoulders back and legs. I've picked up lingo like Bricks, and purchased items like aero bars for my bike, and tri-packs for race day.

Oh, yeah, there are those other responsibilities like being a father a manager and a husband. Well, you'll have to turn to others for feedback on that. All I can say is I'm trying to do my best at EVERYTHING!

I have 1 month left to focus on my first triathlon. Honestly, like most other events I've tackled, I'm nervous just thinking about race day, but I'm also excited. I'm hooked....I love triathlons and I love being a triathlete. I've joined a tri social network called iamtri that gives lots of great info and love being part of this new community.

I just watched the Ironman 70.3 Championships on NBC today and I was reminded of my ultimate goal...doing a half and ultimately a full Ironman in the next 2-3 years. Along the way, I'm still exhausted but having a great time.