Summer Is A Great Time to " Tri"...Calling All Runners and Beyond

      My sister-in-law gave me a really great book called The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration last year for my birthday. I love the book because I can open it up to any page at any time and read something, “inspirational," about running. The book is especially helpful if I don't feel like running- it gives me a boost of motivation. Another reason I love the book is because it is in chronological order so if you read one page a day, you'll have it read in a year without much sacrifice. I call those types of books, “coffee-table books," as you can pick them up and put them down at your leisure. The other day I came across an entry that inspired me to write this blog entry.
     The entry in the book was dated August 11th and it was about the dog days of summer. The author, Kevin Nelson, wrote about the tremendous heat and how even the weatherman was stating that there was no relief in sight. Summer in North Carolina is always hot and this year has been no exception. Perhaps even record heat as we have had weeks where it has stayed in the hundred degree range. Runs when it is hot and humid are particularly grueling for most people. I myself prefer a perfect seventy degree, clear day, which in the summer in NC never happens. The author continued to write that in order to get your run in when it is that hot to go early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler; makes perfect sense.
     But what if you hate getting up early in the morning? What if by the end of the day when the sun goes down you don’t feel like doing your exercise? Sometimes if you are training for an event such as a marathon or a triathlon you’ll still have to get your training done; even in the heat. I find shaded areas to go and do my training. There is a wonderful trail near my house where there are dirt paths surrounded by trees. The shade helps shield the heat so time of day is not a factor.
     Summer is a great time to train and do a triathlon. I challenge all runners or anyone out there to add some cross training to their program. Runners tend to want to stick to one thing; running. What most runners forget is that cross training can enhance their running. During summer it is easier to get outside, even when it is hot. You are probably riding your bike more and perhaps you are doing some laps at your neighborhood pool. Why not put all those things together and do a triathlon? I'm not talking Ironman, but there are many sprint triathlons out there where you can accomplish a tri without making it a full time occupation. Many local gyms have what's called, Try a Tri- or try a triathlon. In these events there is usually a pool swim for those who are inexperienced in open water. I recently joined a gym called Lifetime Fitness in Cary, NC and there is a program there for people who want to experience this growing sport. The YMCA has also offered, Try a Tri. My son and I are doing a sprint this weekend at Rex Wellness Center in Raleigh where the swim will take place in a pool. The distance is 250 yards in the pool, a ten mile bike and a 5k run to top it off. This is a very fun and attainable distance that won't take over your life with training.
     Summer can be tough for training because of the heat but if you are in the water swimming you can burn some calories and stay cool. Hop on your bike and feel the warm air or take these activities inside to the gym. Pool running has become popular as well. I am lucky enough to have access to a HydroWorx underwater treadmill, but if you don't, running in a lap lane can give you some great benefits and keep you cool. Add some cross training to enhance your workouts and beat the heat at the same time. I'm positive some of you," runner only," people may get the triathlon bug by giving it a,"tri."

Tri-On,
Kelly

Tri- Protege

    One of the nicest compliments I could receive is when my son Bryce came to me this past May after The Woodlake Triathlon in NC and asked if he could sign up for a triathlon. I couldn't have been happier or prouder as a mom and as a triathlete. For the last nine years my family has supported my nutty obsession with triathlon. They have not missed many of my races and I am so thankful to have them there cheering me to the finish line.
     Many Sunday and Saturday mornings my family has gotten up at the crack of dawn or before and traveled with me to a race site only to stand around for the longevity of the event. Many times they have fished in the water that I swam in or gone to an extravagant breakfast to pass the time while I am swimming, biking and running my way to the finish line. Usually by the run portion I am questioning why I would want to torture myself with all this nonsense. My legs are usually tired by the last leg and I'm usually feeling cruddy but the thing that keeps me going is knowing that my kids and my husband are waiting with smiles and hugs for me at the end. Trying to impress them is what keeps me going. I want them to think of me as not just their mom or their wife but as a superstar. I know that sounds a bit corny and a bit narcissistic but as my realtor recently said, "Triathlon is something just for you isn't it?" Yes, triathlon is something I can do, but sharing triathlon is even better.
     I'd like to think that I have inspired some folks to,"tri," or at least to consider doing something to keep healthy. A friend of mine named Shellie Gruber got hooked on triathlon and I like to take some credit for that as I encouraged her to sign up for the same race I did nine years ago. She is still at it today and a very good triathlete. Another family I know named Purich is also into triathlon; again I'd like to think I inspired them as well, but I am not one hundred percent certain. This family has been friends with my family for years. I've seen their twins grow up and now their daughter and the husband and wife are participating in triathlon as a family. They recently did an event called The Mission Man Triathlon in Burlington, NC as a team. How great! Whether I had anything to do with their new passion or not I really admire the fact that they too love triathlon now. Todd  Purich recently said,"Triathlon is addictive. The events are electric." Indeed the sport is addictive but in a healthy way.
     Now with my son Bryce wanting to participate in triathlon my passion has come full circle. I remember when just trying to get my workout in was such a challenge when my sons were little. Many hours they spent at the daycare at the YMCA so I could swim, bike or run. I went through the jog stroller phase too, where I'd load them up in the double stroller and run around Lake Pine in Cary, NC. Then we moved to them riding bikes with me while I ran. Now both of my kids come running with me except that my youngest doesn't really like long distance running so now he usually opts out. Bryce( my oldest) however has become a natural and strong runner which makes me mad sometimes as I have to work so hard.
     One of my long term goals is to become a triathlon coach. I have my first,"victim," to train now and I have to say that it is a challenge to motivate my fourteen year old. He has signed up to do a sprint triathlon with me at the Rex Wellness Center in Raleigh. We have been swimming, biking, and running together all summer but his training enthusiasm is not like mine. Most mornings I have to wake him and drag him out of bed only to hear him say,"I don't feel like running today Mom. How about we go tomorrow?" Anyone who knows me  will laugh at this because I am pretty disciplined in my sport and someone telling me,'"no," will drive my type,"A," personality over the edge. I am happy to say that I have been extremely patient with Bryce and his training, but I gently remind him of how important it is to train for his event so he can complete it and complete it without feeling totally awful. I also think that this is going to be his race and it will be a teachable moment if he perhaps doesn't train as hard as he should. I will not let him fail, but until he tries this sport for himself he won't know exactly what he needs to succeed. Sometimes having a "bad," race will teach you what you need to practice for the next race. Perhaps a,"bad," race will deter some people from ever doing another event.  We won't know until we try or," tri."
     I am happy to report that Bryce has improved his swimming. He has been doing his laps when we go the neighborhood pool. He has been riding his bike, but on his terms; around the lake with his friends and his brother. He ran with me last Saturday and the little whippersnapper stayed with me for the first mile and half and then took off to beat me in the 5k we were running. The young have it easy.I am envious and proud of him at the same time.
     Recently I had a conversation with my own dad who inspired me to swim and run at an early age. He used to come to all of my swim meets. I know how painful it must have been for him to sit on the sidelines for four hours or more just to see his daughter swim for 30 seconds or a minute, literally. I told him how much it meant to me for him to be there and how I could really appreciate it now as a parent after attending all of my kids events. Now my son is inspired after watching me on the sidelines or perhaps he is tired of standing around. Full circle or family tradition is a way to describe our passion for sports.
     I  love watching my son grow as a triathlete. I love more talking to him and having some one on one time with him while we train. I remember when he was a little boy riding his trike and now he is riding a road bike. He is somewhere in between that little boy I remember and a grown man as a fourteen year old. He is striving toward manhood but is still awkward and  immature; don't misunderstand this for criticism as I love the person he is now and the person he is becoming. He is a wonderful young man. I'm just so proud I could pass one of my passions to him. We'll see how it goes in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping after the Rex Sprint Triathlon that he still shares the passion for triathlon- either way it's all good.

Tri- On Friends,
Kelly