Some people have asked me how I can enjoy doing triathlons and all the training, early starts and physical pain that goes with it. Last Sunday (11th March) after a 5am start to get to Kurnell to register at 6am to race at 7am and after a swim (750m), cycle (20km) and the end of the 5km run (see photo), I was probably asking myself the same thing! It's an interesting question but my immediate response is that triathlon is for me not a physical challenge - it's a mental one. The challenge is pushing your body to do things it is capable of doing and more but when your whole body is screaming why?!! The benefit is the feeling of accomplishment and of physical well being afterwards when the body recovers.
This photo was taken towards the end of my race. I say my race because essentially that's what I'm competing in - I'm racing against myself and my last time when I did the race in November. Forget the elite athletes who do the same course and former olympic/country/state/club champions - I want to beat me four months ago! The good news is that I made it by 14minutes but of course that means I have to go even faster next year!
The company sponsored BRW triathlon in Sydney harbour (400m/8k/4k) race should be a walk in the park next month but I want to keep training to beat my time from previous years - will let you know if I can get my mind in gear to get my body to do it!
PS I think the variety of sports in triathlons makes it interesting too and means you get to see and enjoy the beautiful parks and beaches in and around Sydney as part of the training. Nothing beats having breakfast/coffee on a beautiful sunny Sydney morning after training. I take my hat off to athletes in for example the UK and other countries who must make a bigger mental effort to get our there and train in the cold and the rain. Here, when that happens, a lot of people just decide to give the session a miss!
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