I was a runner long before I was a triathlete. I was an exerciser before I was a runner. I was a basketball player before I was an exerciser. I was a kid growing up on a gravel road before I was an exerciser.
I’m not a ‘natural’ runner. I was a pretty good at the 50 yards dash in early grade school but when it came time to run the mile in 7th grade…I struggled. Fast forward to doing some sort of goal creation project in college, I wrote that I would complete a marathon. Yikes!
I cannot remember why I decided 2005 would be the year and Grandma’s Marathon would be the venue but I signed up to complete that goal I put on a college goal creation project. I didn’t tell a lot of people – I think I was afraid that I would fail – so I didn’t most of my training solo behind closed doors (or the treadmill at the Ridgedale YMCA). I didn’t book lodging because it is crazy expensive (and they wanted you to stay two nights!) so I ended up sleeping in this camper trailer at a motel just north of Duluth. I wore these awful shorts with built-in cotton compression shorts that were super uncomfortable. I started, I ran, I walked, I bleed as my body experienced a shock it had never felt before, and I finished! I crossed the finish line in just under 5 hours! I was exhausted. I knew I could be better. I was hooked.
I grew to love running. I love being outside. I love nature. I love being in sunshine. I love seeing and smiling at other runners. I love to run with others. I love to listen to podcasts. I love the simplicity of the sport.
Over the years I slowly got faster. I could run a marathon without walking. I was coming closer to a sub 4 hour marathon. Coming so close (4:02) but after several attempts, I had to change it up. Changing it up to triathlon. Only fitting that after 10 years of marathon running, I became a triathlete in 2015.
Running as a triathlete is different. It takes second stage to biking and is almost always done on tired legs. Brick runs became the most important run as it simulates the race experience most closely. Running the third leg in a triathlon is tough; you are tired from swimming and biking and now have to will your way on the run. The run is determined by how much you held back on the bike. Again, second stage to the bike.
Running as a triathlete won’t be as fast as an open race. And it will feel the second half of a race twice the distance. During my first 70.3 at Ironman Steelhead, I experienced this first hand. After a nerve racking swim (would I make the 70 minute cutoff – I did in 61 minutes), I had an awesome bike ride, and was excited for the run. It was only a half marathon, right! My legs were so heavy and it was tough – it was like running the second half a marathon. It wasn’t about the running.
Running as a triathlete is mental. The first mile off the bike is the worst – you are so happy to be off your bike only to realize that you cannot move your legs! Enter the mental game. You can move your legs. Give yourself a mile to ease into it. Focus on one mile at a time. Who are you dedicating that mile to? Focus on that for that mile – however long it may take. Move on to the next mile and the mile after that.
Running as a triathlete is awesome. Your body and mind are amazing for what they do. Focus on the positives. Enjoy the experience.
What is your “Run” Story?
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