My goal is to compete in my first sprint distance triathlon on 6/10/2007 called the Indiana Downs Triathlon (Little Downs) in Shelbyville, IN. The distances go like this - 1/4 mile swim, 14 mile bike, 3 mile run. I feel pretty confident that I will finish so I’m setting my goal to finish in the top half.

Where am I at today? I can easily run 3 miles in 30 minutes. I can ride 25 miles in 1.5hrs. Swimming is the unknown; I haven’t swam laps since high school swim class about 16 years ago. I lift weights 5 days per week training 1 body part each day. I’m about 175Lbs and 20% body fat on my Tanita scale. I really need to get my BF percentage down quite a bit so I’m not carrying around a bunch of dead weight.

What’s the plan? I’m not big on setting ultra detailed training plans since I find that life can disrupt the plan. My approach is going to be a very general and dynamic plan that will allow me to find a balance between work, wife, and training. My main objective is to keep the process challenging and fun. If it becomes stressful, I’ll bag it. So the plan is to swim, run, and ride 2 days a week each, continue lifting 5 days a week and do yoga 1 day each week. One day a week completely free from lifting and cardio. My cardio sessions will be in the morning before work or in the evening after work and I will lift during lunch. I’m shooting to do all my cardio in the AM so I can relax and enjoy time with my wife in the evenings (translation: work on projects around the house).

I’m also trying to work in as many organized events as I can. I’m doing 5k trail run races with DINO, The Race for the Cure, and many of the weekend cycling rides with CIBA. I’ve noticed that all the other people around gives me a slight motivation boost. They are certainly more fun than pounding away on a treadmill or stationary bike.

Nutrition is a huge factor in any training program. My diet is fairly clean already. I generally don’t drink beverages that have calories, no chips or candy. My weakness is the wonderful baked goods that my wife makes - yahum! I already eat lots of veggies and low fat proteins like chicken and fish. I’m fairly certain that I’ll need to boost my complex carbs a bit to keep up with all the cardio training. My supplements include protein, creatine, glutamine, and multi-vitamins.

This week should be interesting. I’m starting to work with a swim coach to get my swim training headed in the right direction. I plan on doing a few sessions with the coach and then just put in the laps. This will be the first week where I do everything - lift, swim, run, bike and yoga. We’ll see what my body thinks at the end of the week.