First Race since '96

[Selkie]

OK -- I think I'm going to train for a triathalon. I used to be a runner -- finished the Marine Corps in 95 and ran a lot of 1/2 marathons before piriformis syndrome made me give up running in early '97. Cycling became my passion and I love it much more than running.

Anyway, my husband and I have been doing the 9/11 5K that Arlington County has hosted the last few years. It goes by the Pentagon and lots of Firemen/emergency responders/fed'l security types participate in it. We've walked it in the past. Well, this year, I decided that I would see if I could run it (my husband runs). I dusted off my Chi Running book, which I started to read a couple years ago but was too afraid to try (scared of getting PFS again), and started running again, last Monday, using the Chi technique. Wow---it works! Last night, we participated in the 5K. Holy smokes, I smoked it. Focused on using chi technique and shoot, I averaged just under 10 minute miles! Couldn't believe it because I had logged only 3 runs before the race. I felt great, too. Neither tired nor winded, and ran the whole thing.

I have to give credit to my cycling, though, as I'm so much stronger and aerobically fit now than when I was an 105-lb weakling marathoner. Cycling will always be my love and my primary sport, but incorporating running & swimming into my regime can only make me stronger/fitter all around, right?

So, now I'm thinking that Irongirl/Columbia '07 might be within my grasp after all. Now I just have to start swimming regularly. I wonder if the lake used in the race is shallow enough that I can run and pretend to swim? Haha. Believe it or not, I heard that some folks did that at the Reston (VA) tri.

[Tri Girl]

Wow- congrats on a great 5K run!!! I'll bet you feel so empowered now that your running has returned. So many options now.
Go for the Irongirl next year. I had some friends do the one in Dallas, and they said it was the most fun they've ever had at a tri. By then you'll have plenty of time to get swimming down-pat, and work some more on your running. How fun!!

and about the walking in the water: my IM in 2 weeks is in a lake that (because the city forgot to put in a request for more water) is pretty low. I'm hoping that on lap 2 I'll just start some water running if I get tired. Nothing wrong with that! It's kind of a triathlon/duathlon combo that way.

[Lise]

Good for you, mickchick! I'm impressed with how you were able to get back into the run. You are inspiring me to pick up the Chi running book.

Absolutely go for a triathlon. The camaraderie is wonderful, the race strategy is fun to learn, plan, tweak, and you get to do three sports in one day! All that and a t-shirt. What could be better?

[Veronica]

What's chi running?

I just looked at Irongirl Columbia. You could so do that Suzanne!

V.

[Selkie]

Chi Running is a style where you let gravity do most of the work. It's about relaxing your muscles and running from your core muscles in your trunk. Basically, you lean forward with good posture and your legs just follow. Really, it works!! Takes tons of concentration and incorporates a lot of Eastern disciplines (yoga, t'ai chi, etc) The guy who invented it is an ultramarathoner. An added bonus is that it is a good way to work on meditation/focus, which I could use to deal w/the work stress!! I highly recommend the book and the technique. The author is doing a workshop here in the DC area in November and I'm thinking about signing up for it.

I'm going to make the Irongirl my goal next year, so long as my PFS doesn't come back. Maybe, too, the Miami Tri (this year it's in October---looks like a good one). Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement!!

[Veronica]

Reading about everyone doing tris kind of makes me want to do one. Maybe that's 2008's goal.

V.