A developing pet peeve & some training updates

While helping DH mow the grass this afternoon (I ride, he trims), my mind drifted to 'triathlon'... of course. I started thinking about all that I've accomplished in such a short period of time and all that I have to look forward to. I thought about my next tri in October and then my "A" race in November. I thought about the pretty new TT bike that I've been dreaming of and I thought about how I'll probably never, ever find a saddle that my bottom loves (and that's 'ok'). I analysed my swimming stroke and thoughts about becoming a Total Immersion 'slippery, fish-like' swimmer popped into my head. In the midst of all of these positive thoughts, one negative one popped into my mind: the reaction of Joe Public when he/she finds out that I've competed in tris.

Don't get me wrong, 'Joe' is usually eager to hear more about my training and/or shower me with praise for what he considers to be something he could 'never do'. But then he says it... 50% of the time, the question comes out of his mouth....

The conversation usually goes something like this:

Joe: So what did you do this past weekend?
Sherry: Oh, I did the 'Your Big Backyard' triathlon over in Oldpeopleville.
Joe: Wow, really?!?!
Sherry: Yeah, had a lot of fun!

(and then Joe says it....)

Joe: Was it a full triathlon?

ARGH!! EGADS!! ROOOOOAAARRRR!!!!

Nothing seems to bring out the beast in me these days more than that question. The first few times it was asked, I was slightly taken aback, but smiled and said, "well, it was a sprint distance." Lately, however, I've just been answering, "Yes." After all, is there really any other kind of full triathlon other than one with three legs???

Don't get me wrong... I'm not stupid. I know what Joe is really asking, he's just not familiar with the tri-language. Joe really wants to know if I did an Ironman like he's seen on television. I guess at that point, what I really 'should' do is explain the variety of race distances and that they are all triathlons AND the approach to competing in each is very different. One distance is not necessarily 'better' than the other. However, Joe probably wouldn't quite 'get it' anyway.

The growing popularity of triathlon is making the sport more accessible to people everywhere (which is wonderful) and sprint triathlons are usually the most popular choice for newbie triathletes and for those weekend warriors who just want to finish a tri with a bunch of their gal/guy pals or office mates. For others, like myself, the sprint tri is much more than that. I've moved beyond just wanting to finish... I want to race it! Set personal records, give the girl (or guy) next to me a run for her money, be an age group contender. I want all of those things, so I train specifically for that. Just like, I suppose, any other competitive triathlete would train for their race distance du jour. Choosing to compete (i.e race) in short course events (sprints and olympics) doesn't make one 'less' of a triathlete; just like competing in an iron distance doesn't make that athlete a 'better' triathlete than someone who races shorter distances. From my limited experience, I've learned that the approach to these races is SO different... you just really can't compare them.

In a nutshell... as non-pros (age-group plaques and finisher medals don't count as a payday), we are ALL triathletes no matter what distance we choose to compete at. In addition, moving up the distance ladder is not the natural progression for every triathlete. I'm excited about my first olympic distance race and I will probably do the Florida 70.3 within the next 2 years, but I have absolutely no desire to compete in an Ironman distance. It's not that I doubt my ability to handle the distance with the proper training, it's just that the 'type' of training required is so vastly different than what I'm interested in. I like the speed of short course events (and that includes running road races). In time, my aging body may begin to prefer long course events as my fast twitch muscle fibers fly the coop, but for now I consider myself a competitive, short-course full-blown triathlete who competes in 'full' triathlons! In the words of the good and wise Forrest Gump... that's all I have to say about that.

Alas... some training updates.

I've completed the first two workouts in the FIRST 10k program and I have to say, I think I'm in love. I love the structure and I love how I 'feel' after a workout (like I've actually done something). The workouts were challenging (way more challenging than I've been doing on my own), yet they were doable. It could just be psychological, but I already feel 'less' tired. That's a great thing!!! More updates to come...

I mentioned Total Immersion above for a reason. I plan on signing up for their weekend freestyle course in Clermont this September. DH is on ball with it as my early BDay gift and of course, he'll benefit from what I learn. So it's win-win for both of us. Very excited about the prospect of becoming a 'slippery' swimmer.

ETA: Speaking of swimming... swim training today was cut short by... a floater! No, not a body... but a brown, Mr.Hanky-type floater! Ack! Of course, I was in the middle of doing some speed work and was concentrating on that, so I never heard the initial 'evacuate the pool' whistle. I ended up being the last person out of the pool! Double ack! Pool was to remain closed for testing for two hours. Friday was to be my rest day, but I'm taking it today and will make-up the swim on Friday. Well, at least the afternoon was adventurous! Let's hope the chlorine that was already in the pool was a strong batch!