.png)
It is now March 2023, and I am 72 years young and happy to report that I have signed up for my second Y-Tri 16-week Triathlon Training Program. Triathlon training overall, consists of training in running, swimming, and cycling. I also include weight training twice a week for strength training.
As you may recall from Blog # 1; my first Y-Tri training and triathlon was back in 2020-
21, when I shared my story about the grit and determination of learning how to swim at age 70. Well, at age 72, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not going to make the Olympic swim team, but I’m happy to report that with a lot of practice, I now know how to swim and have learned water comfort, which means I no longer panic or experience anxiety while in the water. I am now considered a level 1 – basic swimmer and while I have a ways to go in terms of improving my swimming technique; I am confident that with weekly practice (at least twice a week), I will continue to improve my swimming skill- level.
When my swim coach texted me with my swim trial schedule this time around, I did not feel anxious, nor did I panic. In fact, I felt calm and ready to go (although I did ask the timing coach if I could wear my swim fins for that extra buoyancy, I thought I needed---of course not he replied). So perhaps I did experience a split second of doubt when I hit the swim deck, but that feeling soon dissipated and before I knew it, I was in the water, swimming lap to lap doing my swim trial almost effortlessly! Well, I did not break any records, I had to pace myself, but it was only 6 laps which I completed without a hitch! When the swim trial was over, I’m sure all heard my sigh of relief as I continued to swim laps (show-off) to celebrate what I was not able to accomplish two years ago. So now that the swim trial was officially behind me and I “passed,” the 2023 triathlon training season is officially underway! I have just begun week three of my training and my schedule is as follows:
On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, I Rise at 4:00 a.m. and am required to be on deck by 5:50 a.m. each of those days for – Running, Cycling, and Swimming. I take on an extra swim practice on Tuesdays after running and I take Yoga after spin class on Thursdays. I end my week's workout with outdoor cycling on Saturday mornings around 8:00 a.m.
On Monday and Wednesday, I rise at 7:00 a.m., and I’m at the gym from 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. for weightlifting. On Monday's I work my upper body and on Wednesday’s my Lower body. With such a demanding schedule it is crucial that one get at least 8 solid hours of sleep nightly. A good night’s rest makes a huge difference in one’s mental and physical performance levels. It’s also important to have scheduled rest days; my rest days are Saturday afternoons through Sunday.
Stay tuned for future blogs where I will share the daily routine of a 72-year-old triathlete.
I am so incredibly proud and in AWE of you!