This is the seventh article in a series to get you and me ready for the Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon on May 3, 2008 at the Gulf State Park Pavilion. How is training going? We are halfway there. The race is in about 6 weeks.
“I hate running, it is so boring.”
As a person who loves to run, I hear that line all the time. It stopped offending me about 20 years ago. The last leg of the Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon is a 4.5 mile run along the beach road. So if you want to finish the race and attend the party afterwards, you are going to have to run, jog, walk, or crawl the last segment of the race. Yes, I said crawl. Televised coverage of Julie Moss crawling towards the finish line in the 1982 Ironman World Championships on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” put triathlons on the proverbial map.
Our running program is 30 minutes of running/walking/jogging three times a week. Now the training program is complete: 20 minutes of swimming, 60 minutes of biking, and 30 minutes of jogging are each recommended three times per week. This totals less than six hours of exercise per week. What a way to get healthy and lose weight! I’m sorry to say there is no short cut or “six minute abs” workout that can replace the swimming, biking or running. I have been seeking the shortcut for years, but have not found it yet.
As a point of reference, the serious triathlete will spend 10-14 hours per week training. The professionals train over 20 hours per week. You and I can find six hours out of the 168 in a seven day week.
This week I stay out of your wallet. I assume that you have some comfortable sports shoes that you can use for the run and bike portions of the race. I can’t think of other equipment makes outdoor jogging easier or more fun.
I know many folks get their jogging done on a treadmill at the recreation centers in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. That way you can watch television and exercise at the same time. Perhaps that is the ticket for those of you who hate running. Treadmills are a good substitute for being outside running. However, I don’t recommend the exercise bikes as a replacement for riding a bike.
Now get outside and hit the streets. The weather is getting warm and the flowers are starting to bloom. Next time I will disclose a few of my favorite areas on the island to use my running shoes.
To register for the Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon, go to www.team-magic.com. Right now the cost to register is $80 for an individual and $115 for a relay team. You can register online or download a form to complete and mail. Sponsors and volunteers are also needed so please visit www.alabamabeachsports.com.
About the author:
A 1982 graduate of the University of South Alabama, David Lloyd is a triathlon veteran after participating in more than 100 events in the last 18 years. His career highlight so far has been finishing the 2006 Ironman Florida, which features a 112 mile bike ride. David resides in Gulf Shores with his wife and two daughters.
