A Lousy Triathlete
Mar 14th, 2010
Yesterday was my first training ride of the 2010 triathlon season. As I started grinding up the first hill, I noticed that I wasn’t going very fast. Even for me, I was going pretty slow. I started pondering the depressing possibility that I had peaked as a triathlete at John Tanner State Park on April 25, 2009. I had finished 326th in a field of 472. I am a lousy triathlete.
On April 26, 2009, I crashed my scooter in a grocery store parking lot and broke my foot and ankle. It still aches some days.
My friend Kelly and I do triathlons together, and she beat me soundly in the olympic-distance race we did in September. I like to blame my poor time on the ankle, but as I started up the second hill of yesterday’s ride, I thought about second, more scary, possibility: Perhaps Kelly was still getting faster, and I was already beginning the long cool-down toward the grave.
But then the sun came out. The dappled sunlight that had made it through the trees shined on the pavement, and I flew around Stone Mountain. (Yes, 30 Rock fans, there is a Stone Mountain, Georgia, and it is a few miles from my house. Stone Mountain State Park is a great place to ride.) My heart was pumping hard, and the sweat and the wind made me feel truly alive.
And I remembered why I do triathlons: I like training. Once in motion, I genuinely enjoy swimming and running and biking and lifting weights. And I like the resulting strength and stamina. Sometimes, however, it takes a little extra motivation to get up off the couch. My motivation is that I have a race coming up and I’m not going to embarrass myself in front of Kelly. It is a petty reason, but many days it is enough to get me going.
On April 25th, one of the people I did beat was Dr. John Taylor. Dr. Taylor is 88. One of the great things about triathlons is that there are a lot of older racers. Maybe if I keep training hard, I’ll still be a lousy triathlete 48 years from now.
The thing to remember is even if you’re a lousy triathlete, most people are nonathletes. Keep it up!
Aaron, I’m not even 25 yet and I couldn’t keep up with you. I’m healthy and run 3 miles everyday, but that’s all I have in me. I’d say you’re rather athletic!
Maybe I will bother you because I’m always pointing you to a book.
Sorry in advance.
You should look:
The Maffetone Method: The Holistic, Low-Stress, No-Pain Way to Exceptional Fitness
AND
Training for Endurance
these two books got me first from 214 pounds to 147 and second, from there to practice triathlons just for the joy of it.
But sure you already know them.
You are so awesome! What a great shout out. I love our racing together, and you will NEVER embarrass yourself in front of me- well, actually I am sure you could if you tried. You have inspired me to get out my calendar and book in for our race schedule for this year!
I think we can take John again this year- probably his buddy too (can’t remember his name). I can’t wait to race in the Aaron Hillegass “Big Nerd” state park in 40+ years while the GA legislature is considering making an official statement about you!