This past weekend I competed in my 3rd triathlon. I went back to Hilton Head for this year’s annual triathlon they hold. It is just about the 1 year anniversary from the first one I did there last year (the same one I panicked during). I went down there this year bound and determined to do better. I knew my time from last year wasn’t the best I could do because I freaked out during the swim. I had a goal to shave 5-10 minutes off my time. It seemed a little ambitious but I thought I could do it.
So when I crossed the finish line I was anxious to see what my results were. They didn’t have a big clock displaying the time this year at the finish line that told us how we did. I had a watch and had timed my bike and run (it’s not water proof so I couldn’t time my swim) and I knew I was going to be cutting it close. They had a table with computers that you could look up your results so I went to check mine. I finished in 1:38:10. That is 1:05 slower than I finished last year. I was not too happy when I saw the time.
There are many factors that play into my time (like having a 1-month-old child) but one of the main ones is I did not put as much time into training as I should have. Sure I worked out some, but if I had a calendar of all the training I did last year and compared it to what I did this year, this year wouldn’t come close. I’ve been able to improve my times on things individually, but when they all get put together and endurance becomes a factor, I didn’t improve.
I still finished the race, which is something that amazes Angela. Her comment was, “I don’t know how you can barely train and only finish one minute slower.” I guess that is nice. But when I had a goal to finish 5-10 minutes faster, I learned the hard way that without training you won’t get the results. Now I don’t plan on beating myself up about this because like I said I think there were some legitimate reasons I was not able to train, but moving forward I won’t go into a race like that. I plan on completing at least 3 more triathlons this season (I paid for a year long USAT membership and I need to do 4 triathlons to get my money’s worth). Starting now I will be training for the next one.
This means a few things: working out more, getting swim coaching, and being consistent. I plan on competing in Triangle Sprint again this year and will be determined to have a better time than last year. The difference will be that I will actually train for it.
My other motivation is this: Gotta get that beach body ready!
until next time…