Tales from the Training of a First Half Marathon

I’m in the midst of training for a half marathon. It’s tough. Again, like when I wrote about the triathlon I did, I’m not bragging. I’m writing today to talk about my training experience, and what I like and dislike.

What I’m not so crazy about, the amount of training that goes into this half marathon. I’m doing some kind of physical activity 5 days a week. I’m a bigger dude, so it can take its toll sometimes. I find it hilarious when I see a training day scheduled that says “Easy 4 Miles”. There’s no such thing. A distance longer than 3 miles, for me, is hard. But, I do it still, because that’s what the training calls for.

Which leads me to what I do enjoy/like about this. I’m happy that I’m out getting so much exercise. I haven’t felt this in shape since I was in high school. I went hiking the other day, and with some of the hills we encountered, there’s no way I would have been able to get through it if I wasn’t in training. I like that I have an end goal. When I’m working towards something, it’s nice to have a strict regimen. It keeps me focused, and crossing out that day’s workout is a real treat. I’ve also found myself pushing harder. Some workouts, prior to this, I’d kind of half ass my way through. I’d go for a swim, and instead of doing what I should have done, I’d go until my workout app in my watch dinged. Or, if I had to run 4,5 or 6 miles, I’d do about a half to 2/3 worth of running, then walk the rest of the way. With this half marathon, I’m hyper focused on doing exactly what the training says. Doing that has also made the “Easy 4 Miles”, not easy, but doable, even if I’m drained from the day. I’m traveling this weekend, and because I want to stay up on the training, I pushed everything up a day. It was tough, but finishing my distance run yesterday was one of my proudest athletic achievements. I worked out for 7 straight days, and I wasn’t completely wrecked. I’ve never done that before.

What I’ve found that I like most, running long distances, I’m talking about my 9 and 10 mile runs, I’ve gotten to a place where, when I hit the halfway mark, it’s not a chore, it’s something I know I can finish now. I almost hit a meditative state that is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I get lost in the music or podcast I’m listening to, and I just run.

One more good thing, this has really helped with my weight loss. I put a few pounds back on, some muscle, some fat, with the triathlon training. With the half marathon training, I’m starting to look like I did a few years back when I lost 100 pounds. It’s great.

Half marathons aren’t for everyone, hell, I’m still shocked that I’m doing one. But, if you put in the time, follow a strict plan and go for it, the benefits way outweigh the problems/risks. I have about 3 weeks until my race, and instead of being scared or pessimistic, I’m hopeful, proud and looking forward to it.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I feel good.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He can brag all he wants about doing his triathlon. The only triathlon the head editor has worked towards is driving to the grocery store, walking in the grocery store, and then putting the groceries away at home. It is a tough three events, but someone has to do it.

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Tales From a First Triathlon

It is a victory just to get here.

I just did a triathlon 2 days ago. I’m not here to brag, I’m here to talk about my experience.

The first thing that needs to be said, triathlons are hard. I have a ton of newfound respect for people that do more than one of these a year. I’ve done a ton of athletic stuff in my life, mostly team sports, but all of that stuff pales in comparison to the amount of activity involved in one triathlon. I’d rather go back to 2 a days for football, or run “suicides” during basketball practice. This triathlon was tough.

The triathlon was also confounding and confused my body. It confounded me because I did all this activity in less than 2 hours. I do not understand how my body pushes through it all. I have played basketball for 2, sometimes three hours at a time, but I can take breaks during that. There’s no breaks during a triathlon. After the bike ride, I was exhausted, but I still had a 3.5 mile run left, and, with a little walking uphill, I did it. I still don’t know how. I’m still trying to figure it out. It confused my body because of all the random events. I started off strong, posting my best swim time ever. I trained hardest for the swimming, and I feel like it paid off. I did the 300 yards in about 6 and a half minutes. I know that’s not great, but it was great for me. I then transitioned to the bike, and I was feeling good. Even with the big hill at the start, I still felt good. The hills, the overcast weather and having my camel back on were a big time help. The new seat I got was great too. Even having to put my chain back on, it slipped off because I tried to change gears too quick, I finished the 9 mile ride under an hour, which was my goal. As I parked the bike I still felt okay, and then the running started. This was where my body started to get angry and mad. I feel like it was telling me, “enough”. But, I kept going. I think this pissed my body off even more. I didn’t feel it at the time, but later that night, and even still today, I haven’t recovered. My knees and heels are still sore. I also have this general malaise. I’m also moving slower than normal, and my brain is kind of fried.

All this being said though, I’m glad, and proud of myself, that I trained for this, and that I finished it. I feel like I’m currently in the best shape I’ve been in in a long time. I know when this malaise passes, I’ll be ready to dive back into all things athletic that I do. I’m going on vacation next week, and I know I’m hiking and climbing bluffs, and I’m stoked for it all. I’m also going to get back to basketball the following week, and I’m giddy for that. Also, I know that this wasn’t the last triathlon that I will do. Now that I know what it entails, and how better to train, I’m going to want to do it again to better my time. I like pushing myself, and this triathlon is as hard as I’ve pushed myself since high school.

My buddy who did it with me is already trying to get me to do another one, and he and I are running a half marathon in October. A half marathon was something I said I’d never do it again after I did one about 2 years ago, and here I am, 4 months away from my second. My buddy also helped me push through the finish. If you are going to do a triathlon, or anything like it, I recommend doing it with a friend. It’s really helpful.

So, while I’m exhausted and feel odd, I’m very happy I did this. I’m glad that I trained, and when the day came, I didn’t make an excuse or walk away. Yes, I’m tired now, but I know it won’t be for much longer. There is good and bad to doing something like this, but the good way outweighs the bad in my opinion. If you are on the fence, I’d say give it a try, but make sure you train, and know that you will be exhausted. But, when you finish, you will be proud. This was a cool, and odd experience, and I will do it again.

This is how I feel about triathlons.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He has comquered all he has wanted in real sports. Nowadays Ty is trying to be the best at excercising.

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