My interest in Triathlon was peaked about 5 years ago. I was camping with my family at a campground on Route 73 along the bike course for Ironman Lake Placid. We were situated right at the top of the hill near Mt Van Hovenberg. We walked out to the road to watch the bikes and my wife Martina said to me "you could do that". I remember thinking, No I can't! Even though I have much respect for all of the athletes that compete at the full Ironman distance I was a little surprised to see that not every one of them is seriously 'buff'. Many of them are but there were also many who were more like me. Just your average middle age guy.
We went in to the village of Lake Placid the next day for breakfast and it was crawling with Ironman finishers of all shapes, sizes, genders and age. It was at that time that I knew I wanted to do this someday. It has just taken me a long time to finally get started.
Fast forward to July of 2010 and I decided to take the first step by joining my local Tri Club. I have been a serious road cyclist for four years now and have completed quite a few century rides including the Harpoon B2B which is a day long 150 mile journey. I had the cycling part down pretty well but not the running or swimming. I had done several 5K running races but nothing further. As far as my swimming, the extend of my experience has been either body surfing or laying on a raft. This past September I completed my first ever triathlon. A sprint in Duanesberg,NY. I finished the race about mid pack which is what I had expected. Even though it was only a sprint distance I found it to be quite the challenge. My HR was near it's max and stayed there the entire race. Since completing that first event I am now hooked and looking to take on the next challenge.
Working out with my Tri club and doing the open water swimming has done wonders for my confidence. I have also taken a lesson in Total Immersion swimming and feel like I am actually swimming instead of hacking away.
So begins the journey. I have signed up for three races in 2011. A sprint distance and two Oly's. I may also do a half marathon but I am still not certain about that one.
