Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Cardio Triple Crown

I live in Northeast Ohio, which means I've been training indoors consistently for over a month now.  I am fortunate to live around the corner from what can be described as the Taj Mahal of gyms.  It has an indoor track, 4 pools, free access to trainers, rock wall, and dreadmills as far as the eye can see.  I found myself this week staring out the window as a ran laps on the track.  Feeling like a tiger trapped in a cage, longing to be out on the open road.  While exercising this past month, I've found myself concentrating on 1 of three things:  Social life, my next event, and 2011.

The plan has been to do my first triathlon and marathon in 2011.  I more recently came up with what I've been calling the triple crown of cardio.  A triathlon, a full marathon, and a 100 mile bike race.  It was all planned out in my mind that the Tri would happen in May, Century sometime in July, and Akron Marathon in late September.  I would then sprinkle in the local charity runs and rides through out the summer.

The wrench in my plans came this past Monday came when I was fortunate enough to be a Marathon Monday winer.  I won free entry into the Cleveland Marathon.  No problem, right?  Well, its 7 days before the Memphis Triathlon I had planned on attending.  The contest covers any route I choose, but I feel like I am not making the most of an opportunity I've been given.  I've have come up with some different options that I have listed below and with over 2 feet of snow on the ground.  I should have plenty of time to think it over this week.  Tune in on January 1st to see what I decide!!

Option 1:  Cleveland 10K 5/15, Memphis Tri 5/22, Century or Gran Fondo July, and Akron full 9/22
Option 2:  Cleveland Half 5/15, Memphis Tri 5/22, Century or Gran Fondo July, and Akron Full 9/22
Option 3:  Cleveland Full 5/15, Cleveland Tri 5/22,Century or Gran Fondo July,  and Akron 1/2 9/22
Option 4:  Cleveland Full 5/15, Cleveland Tri 8/6, Century or Gran Fondo July, and Akron full 9/22

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Beal, not sure what type of miles per week you run but doing a full marathon and then a tri the next week would be tough on anyone. You are going to find out that the recovery from a marathon, especially your first, is a lot longer then you expect ...And the recovery sucks big time too.

I'd say do the 10k as a fun run and race whichever Tri you decide to do. then you can focus on doing the Akron marathon and be able to race it. And a Century ride is usually only like a day or two of recovery, if even that, so that shouldn't matter. Just my .02

Beal88 said...

Yeah, If I did the Cleveland full. I would definitely not do the Tri 7 days later. I'm probably just going to do the 10K, maybe the half. Since Akron is my hometown and the course is through both neighborhoods I have lived in, I have a desire for it to be my first full. How long does it take to recovery from your first full? 2-3 weeks?

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I agree with Jeff, a tri a week after your mary will not be fun. I have no doubt you will finish it, but you will be in alot of pain. I would pic option four or goto hfpracing.com and look at other tris to do. Largest racing company in Ohio, you have Vermillion and Portage Lakes tri up in your area. Even the Findlay tri isnt too far away

Beal88 said...

Thanks for the link. I will have to check it out. Today, I am learning more to do option 4.