Once again the optimism of the New Year has me making all sorts of ambitious plans and saying “YES” to things that I might say “NO” to in, say, March. A friend seems to have convinced me to train for a triathlon in June. Now, you have to realize that I have never, in my life, run voluntarily. The last time I ran was circa 1985, for those horrible President’s Fitness tests they used to make us do in P.E. I do run in my dreams, away from the bad guys, but they always catch me. I used to swim laps, but haven’t done that in 15 years or so, either. Biking — now that I can do. Not fast, but I can stay on a bike for quite a while. This particular triathlon is (I am told) 1000 yards open water swim, 5k run, and 12 miles on the bike. All I have to do is finish. If it takes me four hours, so be it.
What does it say about me that my first thought after deciding to do this was, “Well, I’d better read some books on running.” Seriously, I am SUCH a nerd that I have to READ about running before I can do it? Snort. This should be an interesting few months.
In other news, I have been keeping up with my yoga practice for WoYoPracMo. There is quite a nice community vibe going on over there.
That’s all for now!
January 10, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I’m the same way
I think I own more Ashtanga dvds and books than asanas that I can actually do.
As for running, Earl Fee’s Complete Guide to Running is one of my favorites. And, of course, runnersworld.com
January 10, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Awesome!! I am behind you ALL the way!
GO Kristi!!!!!!
xxoo
January 10, 2009 at 1:55 pm
oh..running books..i have had them all it seems!! These are the ones i love and have on my shelf currently..
Marathon~The ultimate Training Guide,Hal Higdon
The Complete Book of Running for Women, claire kowalchik
The Runners Repair Manual (really, you WILL need this one) Dr. Murray F. Weisenfeld
The Runners Handbook. Bob Glover
Chi Running (great book, really great!), Danny Dreyer
The New York Road Runners Club Complete Book of Running, Fred Lebow,Gloria Averbuch and friends.
Those are the books I love the most and have been running for 32 years now…
Dean Karnezes is an inspiration as well.. read his book, I read it in pne sitting, could not put it down!
Now..Go Girl!! xoxo
January 10, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I agree the Chi of Running is a great book… Happy reading and running !
January 10, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I hated the presidential fitness challenge . YUCK!! I can do bike riding and I can’t wait for spring and summer to ride again.
Good luck!
January 10, 2009 at 9:29 pm
You and me both…I also loathe running and have been suckered into a running club at work. Mainly because I’m trying to lose a few pounds and this means I don’t have to start dieting just yet. =)
January 10, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I do not embark on anything new without seeking out the latest book(s) first. I am ridiculous.
January 11, 2009 at 2:39 am
You can do it! I went from 0km to 8km in four months last year. What keeps me going is a fabulous playlist on my iPod – maybe music would help you too?
January 11, 2009 at 6:51 am
You are my HERO!
January 11, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I am totally with you when it comes to reading (a lot) about anything I’m about to undertake. And if I can’t find something to read I get a bit panicky about entering uncharted waters. I would need to read about triathlon, as well as running as well as the relationship between yoga and being a triathlete. And then I would go for it and have a blast just like I know you are going to!
January 12, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Hope you do it and have fun!
January 12, 2009 at 3:12 pm
You are so brave – and I am tremendously impressed!
January 13, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I’ll do the marathon with you. It would only take me 4 days to finish and many gin & tonics. We could drink while running.?
January 15, 2009 at 2:09 am
Oh. You’ll love triathlons! Trust me! Just be prepared for the transition from off your bike and onto the run! It’s gonna burn!
January 15, 2009 at 7:59 am
Careful with the running, that is what did for my knees in the first place, long before I started doing mad things like trying to get my legs behind my head!
January 15, 2009 at 11:35 am
A triathlon? A triathlon? Intense! My new office-mate (what do you call the person you share an office with?) also used to run until her knees gave out so be careful out there!
January 15, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I figure since I’ve never run, my knees probably have a few good years in them yet!!
Thanks for the encouragement!
January 16, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Wow, that is quite a goal. Best of luck!