Two Wheel Blogs

I am not a triathlete, nor would anyone ever mistake me for one. I am someone who rides a bicycle, tries to run, and is trying to learn how to swim better, but I am no triathlete. Nor do I aspire to be. But today I rode, swam, and ran. (I know: that's wrong order.)

Here's how it happened.

Friday 9.18: 10:00 a.m.

I was born and raised in Minnesota. You know, the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes. Indeed, my hometown of Fairmont, Minn., was nestled around a chain of five lakes. Despite ample opportunities to learn to swim well, I never did so. Sure, I learned to propel myself through the water, but not how to swim a consistent stroke for a sustained period of time. Basically, I can swim "to save my life," provided I do not have to swim too far or too long to do so.

After my knee surgery, I started water jogging, and quickly learned that water joggin is without doubt the most boring form of exercise ever devised. As I jogged, I would watch the lap swimmers. I decided I wanted to learn how to do that. On Friday morning I had my first lesson, which covered some basics that everyone else in the world seems to have learned. Everyone except me, that is. (Did you know you're supposed to breathe the air out through your nose as you swim? I didn't.) It helped immediately. I need to practice -- a lot! But when I do, at least I'll be practicing proper technique.

Saturday 9.19: 7:00 a.m.

I wanted to do my run. Actually, I wanted to get a ride in and do my run, but I didn't have time for both. That morning, I was going to the high school cross country meet at the SIU-E course. That afternoon, I was going to Hermann, Mo., with Boz to watch him ride the Hermann Under The Lights cyclocross race. (I'd considered taking my bike and riding around Hermann before Boz's race, but decided against it.) I hate being at a cross country meet and not being able to run. I wanted to do my run before I went to the meet, so I got up early and headed to the Nickel Plate. I've not done a morning run for more than four years. It was good to be the only one out on the trail again.

Saturday 9.19: 4:00 p.m.

I spent the late afternoon and early evening at Hermann Under The Lights. This was the first bike race of any kind I've ever attended. And it was a blast.

First, I was impressed by the competition. Boz rode the Category 4 race, taking 8th thanks to an all-out sprint to the finish. The Category 3 race cranked it up another notch. And the Category 1 and 2 race after that ... that was just sick. I couldn't believe they could ride that hard and that fast for 60 minutes.

Second, I enjoyed the party atmosphere. All the bike races I've seen on television (crits, time trials) have been super serious events, the air thick with intensity. Not so for cyclocross. I know people drink while bowling or playing golf, but I never thought I'd see a rider drink a beer in the middle of a bike race. I have found my sport: I have to get a cyclocross bike.

Sunday 9.20

It was raining when I got up, and it continued to rain all morning. "Great," I despaired, "no ride today," and I proceeded to kick myself for not taking my bike to Hermann. Already in a foul mood, there was nothing to do but watch the Rams game. As has become my Sunday afternoon custom, I napped through much of it, awaking in time to catch the 4th quarter. Once the game was over, I looked out the window and noticed that not only had it stopped raining, but the road surfaces were starting to dry.

I needed to take my bike to The Cyclery in case my new derailleur comes in tomorrow. In that way, they can put it on and I can pick it up Tuesday (no time to do so tomorrow). I also needed to practice swimming the right way. And I wanted to run. The Cyclery closes at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays, and the YMCA pool would be open until 5:00 p.m. "Perfect," I exclaimed, and I immediately set about assembling the gear I would need.

Ride: 3:11 p.m.

I drove to The Cyclery, unracked my bike, and headed out for a short, hard ride. I could have chosen a flat route, but instead I opted for a loop that would at least give me a few small climbs. After that, I left my bike at the store and drove to the YMCA.

Time: :36.3
Miles: 10.9
Pace: 18.0

Swim: 4:15 p.m.

I've tried to swim laps before, but always failed miserably. Due to some really bad habits -- like holding my breath the whole time -- it was always more frustrating than rewarding. This time, I was able to swim the length of the pool with less effort. Also, I had specific techniques to focus on: breathing, arm stroke, leg kick, etc. I could monitor "Are you doing these things right or wrong?".

Swimming is exhausting -- especially when you're just learning how to do it. Before too long, I decided I'd practiced enough, so I packed it in and headed for the showers. (I know: in a triathalon, you don't shower when you come out of the water.) I spent fiteen to twenty minutes in the pool, but I can't estimate my time spent actually swimming. I think I managed eight lengths of the pool; that should be 400 meters.

Run: 4:50 p.m.

I was really looking forward to the run. I love the crushed limestone surface of the Nickel Plate trail. Better yet, after today's rain, the trail would be even softer than usual.

On Saturday morning, I'd run the 3.1-mile route in 28:10. That time was okay, but I thought it should have been faster. I'd just gotten up, so I should have been "fresh." Apparently, I wasn't fully awake. And I'd tried to run hard that morning, hoping to improve on my 26:59 PR. When I saw my time of 28:10, I was disappointed.

This afternoon, I didn't want to run hard; I just wanted to run it. So I went out easy, and I tried to keep my pace even. I did not push myself. My time was 28:25, and I was pleased with it. That was only five seconds per mile slower than Saturday's run, and I did it after biking and swimming. This suggests that I could run it faster.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 28:25
Pace: 9:10/mile

Bottom Line

I don't know when I'll be able to run, swim, and bike on the same day again. I'm glad I did it today, especially as the forecast calls for the possibility of rain for the next three days. Opportunities to ride will be harder to come by nowadays. I plan to make the most of mine. Here's hoping you're able to do the same for yours.