Saturday, March 15, 2008

Triathlete - Who Me?


OK, so there is no "Ironman" tattoo yet. If the "Ironman" is the pinnacle of achievement for triathletes, I'm somewhere below "Aluminium Foil Man".

It all started when I was trying to convince my friend Sheri to do a second marathon. In a moment of weakness I said, "if you do another marathon, I'll do a triathlon." Little did I expect her to say, "yes." Now what do I do? I do a triathlon, that's all. Easy to say when you don't even own a bike! From what I understood that is a key piece of equipment necessary to compete. I also learned that there were triathlons called "Sprint" distance that do not require double digit hours in order to complete.

So, I purchased a bike and all the equipment. I'm a runner where all you need is a good pair of running shoes and a pair of shorts. So with the help of Sheri and Bob aka "Sponge Bob", I was ready to begin to practice. It is correct to say you never forget how to ride a bike. However, I'm a "Geezer", I grew up with a one speed bike that weighed 43 pounds! My problem wasn't riding or reaching speeds I barely do in my car, I had a problem stopping. More accurately, staying upright after stopping. Foot or feet must be firmly planted on solid ground. How many of you remember Arte Johnson riding his tricycle on "Laugh In", remember how he always tipped over? Maybe I watched too many episodes.

In May of 2006, I entered a "Sprint Relay", I'm no fool, I did the run. In August of 2006, I participated in my first solo, the "Babes & Bums Triathlon". Now to confuse me more about this sport, they reversed the order of events. We started out running, then cycling, then the swim. When all was said and done, I finished 2nd in my age group! (There were only two "Geezers") I did the "Babes & Bums" in August 2007 and placed 3rd in my age group. There were actually five competitors this time!

So, I will be dusting off my bike and getting ready for at least two triathlons this year. Maybe I can finish this year at least a "Tinman".

The photo is of Sheri, Bob and I after a duathlon, they canceled the swim due to rough seas in the ocean. Don't pay any attention to my left knee, it was just an "Arte Johnson" moment. Thank you Sheri and Bob for all your help and staying far enough away that I don't crash into you. I think Sheri owes me another marathon.

I really hope my friend and blog buddy "Humble Triathlete" is too busy training for her "Ironman" that she misses this post :-) In case she reads it, thank you Shirley!

8 comments:

Runner's Anonymous said...

Best of luck on your triathlons! Which ones are you going to do this year?

Jim said...

The only definite one right now, is called the "Twilight Tri". It is July 26th, in Crystal River, FL. I was a spectator last year and took the "Finish" photo that's on my blog there.

robdbirch said...

Babes and Bums was my first Tri,too!
Many thanks, to Sheri for giving us a great introduction to the sport. Starting out as part of a relay team was a good first step at the Ormond Beach Tri-Y. The friendly and family oriented Babes and Bums was a really good event and was a good welcoming eve nt for us not so sure we coud get it done! I am looking forward to the Twilight Tri at Crystal River!

ShirleyPerly said...

Hey, don't count on me too busy to check in on you ;-)

Great to hear you'll be two tris this year. Which ones?

ShirleyPerly said...

Oh, just saw your comment about one of them and being undecided on the second one. Guess I'll just have to keep checking back.

Jade Lady said...

Loved the read,AF man! Thanks for sharing. I still remember my first 10 speed schwinn - it was one of the first lightweights back in the day.

In the photo, u and my daughter now have matching boo boos!

Eileen Daly-Boas said...

Almost everytime I've fallen off my bike, it's been at about zero mph...usually, I'm trying to unclip my cleat from the pedal and tip over. Embarrassing, but not painful. I can't imagine running after cycling. How long does it take to lose the wobbly-leg phenomenon that I get after a long bike ride?

Jim said...

Tipping over must run in the family, find that gene!

Wobbly legs...practice, practice and more practice. We do what are called "bricks". You ride and run until you get it right. I'm not experienced enough to say whether you totally overcome them. I can say with practice after 20 yards I'm OK.