TIART: Relays, Ultras, and Tris

This week's topic for Take It and Run Thursday at the Runner's Lounge Blog is Relays, Ultras, and Tris - Oh My!

It absolutely amazes me that I am even taking part in this topic when a little over a year ago I thought I'd never run a mile. Now I can run 3 miles in a row, or 13 with some walking breaks. Likewise with biking: I remember when 2 miles seemed like hell, and now I regularly ride 15+ miles with little trouble (damn you headwinds!). Now swimming, that is a whole other story, but I'll get there eventually.

Duathlon

When I started running, I found that biking was a great way to cross train and keep knee pain at bay. Now that I commute 15 miles each way to work 1-2 times a week, I figured I should put all that biking to some good use and venture into the world of multisport events. I've signed up for my first Sprint Duathlon on June 28 at Baldwin Park. I am excited, and a little terrified, but I know I can do this. The distances, 5K run - 13.4 mile bike - 2.5 mile run, are all distances I know I can complete. It is just a matter of how fast, but my main goal is just to finish.

Triathlon

Jason completed his first triathlon in March and I think it has really changed him (for the better). Now he wants to do an olympic and eventually a Half Ironman. Doing these 3 sports regularly is a great way to stay fit, and I want to train for one even if only for that benefit. I am not a strong swimmer (I can't even swim with my head in the water), and I am terrified of open water, but I really want to give this a try. So I found the perfect first triathlon for me and registered. On August 8th, I will compete in the Faces of Courage Reverse Sprint Triathlon: 5k run - 10.5 mile bike - 200 yards swim.

Relays

I was going to run the Gasparilla Marathon Relay with mom, dad, and Jason this year, but it sold out before we were able to register. It was for the best as the weather that day was awful, but it was disappointing since we were all really looking forward to doing this as a family. We'll try again in 2010, but I now also have my sights set on the Ragnar Relay. This one is a bit more ambitious than a marathon relay and I need a 12-person team, but I've had lots of interest and plan to put a team together for the Miami to Key West Relay in February once the info is up on the site. I think it will be an incredible challenge and great way to bond with some fellow runners.

Who knew that my little journey a year ago to get healthy and lose some weight would lead to all this? I am excited and eager to see what's beyond the next turn in my journey :)

New Plan: No Marathon?

I'm thinking of not training for a marathon nor joining the Galloway training group this year. I love running with them, and I eventually want to run a full marathon, but I don't think this is the right time because:

1. I am a little burnt out of having a set running schedule and not being able to do anything Friday night because I have to get up so early Saturday mornings for a run.
   
   
2. If I train on my own (or with Jason or other local running groups/meet ups), I can run every other day and my long runs can be either Sat or Sun. It will be really liberating to set my own flexible schedule and run for the fun of it.
   
   
3. I've been and want to bike more, and I fear the added millage for the marathon and biking will leave me exhausted. So instead of training for a marathon, I think I'll enjoy it more if I train for some sprint/olympic duathlons, maybe a sprint triathlon, century rides, or even a half ironman duathlon!

With this in mine, here are my New Goals for 2009:

1. Improve my running pace and run a sub-30 5K by the end of the year.
2. Run 1-2 half marathons and get a new PR (and ideally sub-2:30).
   
3. Run 5K without walking (at whatever pace). I can probably do this now, but I haven't really tried in a while.
   
4. Complete a sprint duathlon.
5. Complete a sprint triathlon (maybe -- with a pool swim).
6. Complete an olympic duathlon.
7. Complete a half iron duathlon.
8. Complete a relay race with family.
   

These are some of the races I am considering, other than tons of 5Ks:

• June 28 - 1st Sprint Duathlon at Baldwin Park
• Aug 8 - Faces of Courage Reverse Sprint Triathlon
• Oct 11 - Long Beach Half Marathon
  
• Nov 8 - Miami Man Half Iron Duathlon
• Nov/Feb - Ragnar Relay

Of coure, this is all bound to change and I may decide at the 11th hour that I do want to do a marathon after all, but just making this decision for now is a huge load off.