I've started training again. Sort of. It's not the first time this year I'm saying this.
I said it in January with the idea that I'd have a good six months before the NYC Triathlon. I bought and read a comprehensive triathlon training book, the only one that included a long base building period followed by the more classical 16-week training regimen. But instead of "building a base", I went on some long, sporadic runs and gave vague answers to anyone who asked if I was training again, anyone I'd been fool enough to mention it to in the first place. I clocked some miles on the treadmill. Took a swim lesson. Not quite the "base" I'd hoped for, but not completely sedentary.
I said it in February after I left my job. I'll have plenty of time now, I said. And then I put writing first, sleep second and training last. I did manage to get in some more regular runs, a few of them outdoors, which was the first time this fair weather runner's ever done that in the winter.
I say it again in March, on this first day of spring, now that I truly have 16 weeks to get in shape before the NYC Triathlon. I'm keeping a training journal. I did some speed work at the track on Friday. Swimming was a regular habit last week. I'm terribly deficient on the bike front. I need to buy a serious bike. I'm nervous about the open water swim. I'm not quite as determined as last year, but I'm digging around for the determination. Or the money to hire a coach.
These are the reasons I hesitate to say I'm training. These are the reasons I'm saying it.
