I love triathlon. Ever since the first time I dragged myself across a lake, hopped on a borrowed bike, and made it through a run course, there has been no obsession as persistent in my brain than trying to shave time, improve efficiency, and simply be better at this sport.
My progression has been from a casual back-of-the-packer, to quick college kid, to the biggest fish in a very small pond, to Kona qualifier, to an elite license holding triathlete, which is where you will find me now. This gives me a unique opportunity to truly empathize with virtually every type of person you will meet at a triathlon, having been at both ends of the spectrum and everywhere in between.
New Year’s resolutions are just a little bit tacky and overdone, let’s be honest. This makes it a little embarrassing to admit that this blog is a byproduct of one of my own New Year’s resolution- To document the 2018 season. Blogging serves as an excellent motivator. As I learned in 2013, writing and sharing my story with the world (Ok let’s be real, some of my family and friends) provides an extra layer of accountability. Frankly, I have been embarrassed and downright ashamed of my race results from the last several race seasons. For some reason, my assumption was that you start with great results, then share. In really, it is usually the exact opposite. Put yourself out there, then fight every day for success, plain in sight for all to see. This season I’m putting myself out there again, and aiming to post to this blog once per month, near the end of each month.
I have a second New Year’s resolution, also triathlon related- to race locally more often. The more time I spend at major triathlon events, the greater my appreciation for the low-key local events. In December I moved back to Saratoga County, New York, which makes me eager to fulfill this resolution. Memories of racing here are some of my fondest. I’m not saying I won’t compete in major professional races this summer, but I’m not going to skip out on great experiences close to home.
But to make 2018 a season like no other, I have to try new things. Change is how new results happen, right? To break out of a swimming slump, I’m now being coached by David Luscan, owner and founder of Finding Freestyle, a first class freestyle curriculum that teaches you to swim the way you teach a language. Rather than just tell you what you’re doing wrong, the program points you in a direction and lets you find the right way to swim freestyle yourself. It has been an incredibly mindful and enlightening way to swim, and I’m only on week 4 of the 12 week course! Highly recommend it. David has helped some very competent professional athletes improve, and countless beginners as well. Check out his website if you want to get faster on less than 10,000 yards per week.
Another change I’m experimenting with this winter is running a lot more. The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club in Albany provides regular opportunities to test my fitness, with a variety of distance races throughout their winter series. I’ve already been able to run personal bests in 15k and half-marathon runs. Running 5k and other races frequently in college quickly transformed me from a guy who could barely run an 8 minute mile into an 18-minute 5k runner, and I’m looking for that same speed/endurance increase again by racing hard more often. I’m also getting way out of my comfort zone and trying some indoor track meets, primarily focusing on the 3000 meter distance. The winter is a great time to try new things and improve your weaknesses, with the bulk of the triathlon season still months away.
It hasn’t been all work though. The occasional playtime has to find its way into your routine, and for me that means grabbing a stick and pucks, tying up the skates, and hitting the ice. As a kid, there was nothing better in the winter than flooding our backyard in Vermont and playing a little hockey, and this is still to this day something that brings me more bliss than any other sport. It’s a shame no talent for hockey ever manifested! I’ve found time to get to the beautiful outdoor ice sheet at Saratoga Spa State Park twice this winter, and the hours just melt slapping a puck around.
Because I haven’t blogged in so long, there is much to tell. My life has changed dramatically since Kona 2014, but allow me to share in bits and pieces. In my next post in February, I plan on sharing my 2018 race schedule, revealing my 3000 meter time (whether terrific or embarrassing!), and hopefully telling you how much faster David Luscan is making me swim. Until then, I’ll be training and cuddling with my favorite cats in my favorite place to call home. Thank you for reading!
