I know this is really long but I'd really be grateful to anyone who read this and shared their comments or experience... and I know this is silly to be asking for advice on Yahoo Answers, but I feel like all everyone I know that gives me advice is too concerned. I felt this was a good source because I'm sure nobody knows me on here, and could just give me a straight opinion without their natural emotions and concern of being my friend or family member.
I go to school at UT, so I live in Austin and my brother is training for the half-iron in Austin, Texas on October 25, 2009. He is in very good shape since he has been racing for over over four years and is only 18.
However, just randomly I got the idea that I should do it too. I started looking online and want to participate in the Austin Triathlon as well on September 7.
My only fear is that it is too late to start training since I am way out of shape. I am 20 years old, about 6', 180 pounds. I am not fat or anything and have a pretty small frame, but I have a terrible diet (2 meals a day, always fast food, eat candy and drink soda all the time).
However, I was on the swim team throughout high school and swam about 5000-6000m/day. I also used to train for marathons and completed one in hs as well. I wanted to see what I could do today, so earlier I grabbed my bike during the hottest part of the day and biked about ten miles fairly easy, and a few minutes ago, I ran about three miles, though my times were pathetic. I used to swim a 500m freestyle in about 5 minutes, and run a mile in about 5 minutes.
Today, I felt like I ran at a pathetic 10min/mile pace, and I'm not sure about my bike, but I know I can hardly swim 1000m now without getting really exhausted.
Part of me says this is out of my reach right now, but part of me says since I am fairly young and have a lot of persistence and perseverance that I can get back into shape pretty quickly. I think I can do it with really hard work, and since I was on the swim team and used to be pretty active, I know I have the endurance, and just feel like my gut is telling me I can do it. But since I haven't really exercised since hs, and am in nowhere near the shape I used to be in 2 years ago, I don't want to be ignorant at the same time and make a stupid decision and end up hurting myself.
With my current state, and with the regular triathlon next month and half-iron in two months, is this really as crazy as I think it is? All I want to do is finish, get a cool shirt, and be able to so say I did a half ironman. I don't expect to win anything I just want to finish without looking too pathetic, and I'll have that much more experience to be able to actually compete next year if I continue to train.
My other concern was that I don't want this to hurt my academics. I think this would be an excellent time to start training though if I end up doing it, because my last day of summer school is on Wednesday, then I have a solid two weeks of no school before the fall semester starts.
However, when the fall semester starts I will be taking a heavy course load of 20 credits (Economics, History, Physics, Calculus III, Spanish), and working at my internship 20 hours per week.
Also, since I've had this idea, I thought it would be neat to work for a pedicab company downtown as well. It seems pretty flexible. I would work probably about 2 nights (8 hour shifts) throughout the week, and be a taxi for all the drunk people at the bars on 6th street and make pretty good money from tips. It would be really cool though because the manager of the company said I would end up biking about 20-30 miles a night.
Anyways, I kind of expected this from my parents but they think taking 20 hours of school, working at an internship part time in the day, part time pedicap at night, and training for triathlons, is going to cut into my studying, sleep, social life, and I guess basically they think I'll end up being a wreck.
I expected that from them, though. I think pretty much any concerned parent would say that. My girlfriend thinks its too much though, and says I always try to take on too many things at once.
Idunno though, I really think it's managable though. It wont be easy, but I think it's managable.
There are 168 hours in a week. If I am in class for 20, work for 40, workout for about 10, that still leaves me 98 hours for other things.
So if I study for 30, and sleep for 50, I still have 19 hours of free time, almost a whole day. Therefore, I could still go out on Friday or Saturday Night and be with friends. And I could even study with friends so I would still have a social life.
Therefore, if I can manage my time well enough, it seems to me that I can get in really good shape and participate in two triathlons, work at my internship, work as a pedicap, go to all my classes, study a solid amount per week and make good grades, get a solid amount of sleep, and maintain a social life.Life Advice, 10 points fast.?
It generally takes at least 3 months of training and more like 6 months. Triathlons are not like running a 5k for heaven sake. They are a serious undertaking.Life Advice, 10 points fast.?
A lot depends on how disciplined you are. You have thought it out
very well even to the number of hours you could spend doing certain
things. I do think it is doable and perhaps you should do it. The only
way you will ever find out if it IS a good idea is to get out there and
train. At your age, you should be able to fit everything in, however
that means your time with your girlfriend will be cut, too, and that
could be why she isn't all for it. I suggest that you go ahead and sign
up and begin training. Once school starts back if you realize that this
is too strenuous of a schedule, you can cut back and begin to train
for next year. You are young enough that if you put immediate
changes into place - diet and exercise and stay on top of your school
work when it comes time to start back, I see no reason that you cannot attain this goal. Just remember, discipline will be your friend
not your enemy. If you are a procrastinator and leave your school work
until the last minute, you will definitely stress out which will work against your mind and body. Go for it and best wishes!
Ha ha that is long. Sorry I am not competitive...in trying to beat your # of words :P
Do it! I say sign-up, pay the entry fee and start changing your life. It'll be easier to start eating well and training now and a little more difficult once school starts. If you start training now, you'll be in a training mind-set and integrating your training (or changing your routine) will be easier than starting one fresh in September.
If it's a half-iron you can totally do it, you're 20! I remember 20, the indestructible age. If you've been doing those things (swimming, jogging and cycling) already...the half-iron is totally do-able. If you want to win...that's going to be a major shift in your priorities and less likely but still possible.
Start now! Go out and exercise first, then start making a plan. Stop eating fast food (I love it, but most of it is terrible or if you can't stop then stop eating beef and pork and eat more chicken items).
Get back to swimming (probably the hardest part, but maybe easier for you with your background) and jogging every day...riding a bike to finish the race (in my opinion is easy as long as your endurance is there).
If you've never...you should. Fit it in. You'll be glad you did...even if you don't win.
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