Triathlons: Crash Course

There is a great article on Runner’s World here.

This article chronicles the experience of an experienced runner attempting his first triathlon.

Some of my favorite quotes from the article:

“I was already a decent if casual cyclist, and as for the swimming, well, all kinds of folks swim a good distance without drowning–so why not a runner in marathon shape? … ‘You’ll find out,’ said my Wise Inner Voice, and then it went off to spend the summer with somebody more inclined to listen to it.”

About swimming:

“Pool swimming is as different from open water as running on a treadmill is from running from a hungry bear.”

About biking:

“Legends are full of heroes who unknowingly pick up the instrument of their own destruction, but rarely do they pay retail for it.”

“…cycling encompasses everything from Lance Armstrong climbing an Alp to an English vicar pedaling about his parish, and the difference is discomfort. Runners train so they can run long distances comfortably. Cyclists train so they can cover long distances while in pain the whole time.”

About running:

“My legs complained at the strain, feeling both stiff and soft. They felt as if I had swapped my legs for someone else’s…I was pretty sure I could do the distance. I just didn’t know whose legs I’d be using to do them.”

Personal note: I was thrilled with my 52 minute PR for the 10K run leg of an Olympic Tri.  This guy did a 43 minute split on the run leg for his first ever tri.  That is why he gets to write the articles and I end up reading them!