Training Tuesday: My Roadmap to a Third 70.3 Triathlon

So it begins. I was actually really excited going to bed Sunday night. Monday meant a new start - not just to the week, but for me as a whole. It's the beginning of a new training cycle, the one that will end in my third half-Ironman triathlon finish. Because finishing is the only option.

I registered for the Pigman Long Course in Marion, Iowa, on the recommendation of Alyssa (coincidentally, we've been friends exactly two years today. Cheers to my best training buddy and twinsie!). She did it a few years ago and said it's a good course, it's spectator-friendly and hey, it's really cheap. The motto for my racing this season is budget, because I'm saving up for another go at Ironman Wisconsin.

Anyhow, with this not being my first dance, I thought I'd get serious about training 16 weeks out and work on speed drills, eating well and dabbling in strength training again. I suck at heart rate training, and the more complicated a workout, the less likely I will actually follow the plan. So after scouring the Internet for free plans (again, budget basement triathlete here), I found this "super simple" 70.3 training plan from "Triathlete" magazine. It's nine workouts per week, three for each sport. I'm already going to modify the first month to add an extra day of running. I need it for my sanity and to try and finally shake off the divorce weight (it's a real thing, people).

I started with an 800-yard swim Monday, which was a bit discouraging. Granted, I think I've been in the pool twice since Ironman Wisconsin, but it took me 15 minutes to complete the workout. My last sprint, the same distance took me less than 10 minutes. With my first triathlon of the season, Esprit de She, right around the corner, now's the time to buckle down and train up.

There are few things I enjoy more than printing out a training plan and checking off each day as I complete it. Here's to a fresh plan and a new red pen to make it happen.