I've hired a Triathlon Coach!

So, I hired a trainer to help me with my triathlon training. I've signed up for the Timberman ½ Ironman on August 22nd. I'm not sure that this was the smartest thing that I've ever done but my friend Jane and I decided that we wanted to do something different than just marathons. You’d think that I would work up to doing a ½ Ironman rather than just jumping in but hey, why not just do it? I’ve only done two sprints in my life and those were over 5 years ago. Now you know why I needed to hire a trainer!

My trainer is awesome! Her name is Sharon Johnson and she’s an inspiration. She’s an accomplished triathlete and her website is www.netritraining.com. She kind of scares me but is so nice and encouraging that I think that it’s a good match. She has me on Training Peaks, which is a web based training plan. Every day I am e-mailed my workout for the day and also for the following day. I can also see the entire week on-line so there are no surprises. I’m also supposed to input the foods that I eat but I’m not doing so well with that. I’m not ready for full disclosure yet.

I’ve made it through the first week and it’s been tough. I’m paying dearly for taking nearly a month off running and for our two-week food/drink fest in St. Barths. For example on Wednesday I swam in the morning and then did a hills/speed workout on my bike in the evening. I couldn’t understand why I could only shuffle run on Thursday morning…boy I feel old!

I also feel like I’ve broken my non-defined "chicken arms". Raising my arms is a killer! I’m really hoping that I’ll look back at this in a couple of months, with my new awesome guns, and just laugh at this.

My first rest day is tomorrow and can’t wait.