Showing posts with label no swimming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label no swimming. Show all posts

Sunday, March 25, 2007

I Wish I Were Lance Armstrong

I have become notorious for my enthusiasm-based decision-making. Whether it’s attaching myself to projects twice my size at work or registering for four graduate classes in one semester, I’m pretty good at overextending myself and expecting the best.

And in most cases I push through the difficult portion, get everything done and look back with pride. Hence the reason I’m targeting the Ironman! But today I failed—because of poor planning, bad timing and even worse shape.

After yesterday’s 10-mile run, I felt motivated to get moving on my warm-season training schedule. So, I woke up early this morning, ate a bowl of oatmeal, packed my swimming bag, hopped on my bike and headed for the rec. center at Kent State. But as I traversed the same hills I thought were cake yesterday, oh how I wished I were Lance Armstrong!

Between the tiredness in my legs (which I did not feel when I left; darned enthusiasm!) and what actually did turn out to be my poor cycling shape, I was showering in lactic acid by mile three. I was about two-fifths of the way to the rec. center when I hit a hill that just stopped me in my tracks. I had overdone it. Realizing that I probably wouldn’t have anything left to swim when I biked the rest of the way, I turned around and rode back home. In shame.

On the bright side, I did get an hour of good, hard, hilly cycling this morning, and a fair assessment of what kind of shape I’m in. It’s just a good thing that my first triathlon isn’t until August. And I thought running was going to be the difficult part. Pshaw! Plus, I don't have my afternoon class tomorrow and can make up my swimming then.

But if I couldn't be Lance Armstrong, I think I would be Peyton Manning. Not only does he have a Super Bowl ring and half the sponsorships in the Western world, he's also one funny guy and was on SNL last night. I love/hate people who are so diversely talented. I didn't actually catch the show, but read the recap and caught the Web videos. Check out his United Way spoof. Viewer discretion is advised.