Anne's Training Journal: Week 10

Anne lives in Missoula, Montana, and is training for the Grizzly Triathlon in April. Believing that she is not the typical triathlete, (age 49 and not a regular competitor) Anne feels that if she can pull this off, anybody can. This is her training journal:

One more week to go.

Training for a triathlon has been an interesting process. You learn things about yourself when you push yourself. I learned that I can run a 5k in less than 40 minutes. Most people think 30 minutes is a good time, but 39 minutes is my personal best, and that’s what I did in The Run For the Trees on Saturday.

I’ve also learned that I have exercise induced asthma. I’ve always kind of hacked and coughed at the beginning of a workout. I found out that I don’t have to do that. I’ve been having this problem since I played soccer in my 20s. I got an inhaler after talking to the doctor, and I breathe a lot better.

Missoula is a great place to be outdoors and athletic. I am so lucky to live where I do. On any given spring/summer weekend, there is probably some organization holding a run or bike ride. There are lots of good places to ride your bike and many good places to run and hike. Today I rode my bike along the Clark Fork River and watched geese, ducks, and eagles.

This is my easy week. We’re supposed to taper off the workouts so that we are rested with plenty of energy on race day. It’s going to be hard not to work out so much. I’ll probably drive everyone at work crazy. Wish me well on Saturday. I’m still concerned about my time in the swim although I swam fast enough last Tuesday.

Anne