After about a month of trying to figure out how to train for a sprint triathlon while continuing to train for a marathon, I sought professional help.
No, I'm not talking about counseling for my desire to tackle yet another challenge when I'm so tired I often forget my own name. I'm talking coaching, training, education and motivation.
I did what a lot of people do much earlier in their efforts to transform their lives and health — I hired a coach.
I met Dave Pruetz, who owns In Training and specializes in triathlon training, when I was writing a story about three moms hoping to compete in their first sprint triathlon. I was impressed with the comprehensiveness of his coaching, so after about a month of reading and discussing training issues with friends and family, I decided I needed help.
I was afraid first and foremost that I would overtrain. Runners have this idea, despite the science that proves otherwise, that the only way to "get into shape" is to run. I think it's because there is really nothing else like running in the exercise world.
Let's face it. Running, for most of us, is hard work. Even on days when I feel great, get enough sleep and have the nutrition I need, putting one foot in front of the other at a pace qualifying for a jog gets tough after a couple of miles.
Then there is the whole issue of pushing oneself. Some days I have no trouble with this. I crave the burning, breathless workout that leaves me feeling productive, no matter how little I accomplish in other areas of my life.
Other days, actually most days, I'm tired, busy and unprepared for the effort and energy it requires to work that hard physically.
Two things have helped me in my efforts to train hard, but not so hard I end up injuring myself. One is attending spinning class; the other is having a plan, written for me in this case, by Dave. I thought I was riding hard on the bike at the gym until I went to a spin class. After 12 minutes — exactly 12 minutes — I thought I might not be able to finish the class. Then our instructor announced warm-up was over.
The realization was quick, and unfortunately painful, that I had not been pushing myself hard enough on the bike when I was alone. It's not just about sweating. It's about seeing what you're capable of accomplishing.
The next issue was swimming. I am a pretty good swimmer, but I don't feel like it's much of a workout. Well, that's because, as Dave pointed out, I wasn't even swimming enough to make it worth getting wet.
I am planning to compete in the Women of Steel Triathlon, and that's a 300-meter swim. So, in order to push myself, I was swimming 400 meters. Dave has me swimming 45 minutes or about 1,600 meters, depending on whether I'm trying to swim fast or working on endurance.
He also tweaked my form, which much to my surprise, made a huge difference in how much farther — and faster — I can swim.
Dave set up a plan that has me swimming some of the days I run, which does make me feel a little better about "getting my miles in."
He has reduced the amount of miles I run each week, but the workouts, he promises, will be more beneficial. Instead of "junk miles" which may make me feel good about myself, but are really not improving my overall fitness or ability to run farther and faster, I will get quality miles.
That last part I'm still skeptical about.
The one thing I have realized is that even hiring a coach doesn't provide the motivation necessary to really accomplish your goals. That desire to get to the gym every day (versus a few extra minutes of sleep) and the drive to push yourself to new limits (rather than enjoying those comfort zones) really resides in each of us.
The information, as well as the opportunity, is out there. There are willing cheerleaders — paid and unpaid. But ultimately, what you accomplish, and what you fail to realize, is up to you.
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com