Triathlete in training

A triathlon has always been up there on my life to-do list.

But truthfully, it never seemed a realistic goal.

Working out has never been easy -- or particularly enjoyable -- for me. My gym visits, sporadic as they are, consist of 20 minutes on the stationary bike while listening to my iPod, reading a magazine and debating the night's dinner.

On a good day, I'll throw in a set of crunches.

I've never in my whole life been able to run more than 10 minutes. Playing 'Marco Polo' is about the extent of my swim ability. And I can't even remember the last time I rode a real bike -- one that actually moves.

But after covering the Subaru Women's Triathlon in Naperville one Sunday a few years ago, I began to seriously consider tackling a triathlon.

For one, it seemed doable. The sprint race, part of the U.S. Women's Triathlon Series to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, includes a .47-mile swim, 13.8-mile bike and 3.1-mile run.

And frankly, the camaraderie and support participants received was astounding. The pure emotion of the day stayed with me long after the race ended.

While interviewing one woman, a cancer survivor, I asked her why she'd done it. "Because I can," she'd said simply.

I resolved then and there that one day, I'd do it, too.

Fast forward a few years. Each spring, I'd entertain the idea, but other things -- namely food, beer and laziness -- got in the way.

This past year, I moved to the suburbs, away from the tempting city nightlife. I also started a new job and for the first time, resolved to embrace -- and not fear -- change.

This would be the year I'd test my mind and body in ways I never thought possible.

So I circled the triathlon date -- June 22, 2008 -- in red and began my training in March, a good 16 weeks beforehand. I would, after all, need all the time I could get.

My goal is simple: To finish. Time's not a concern, though it would be nice to not come in dead last. (My worst fear is crawling on all fours across the finish line -- two days after the event).

Along the way, I hope to focus on healthy eating, tone up, shed a few pounds and build confidence. Oh, and have a little fun, too.

Week 1

I buy "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Training for a Triathlon" and start a food and workout log. I also make my biggest-ever splurge, hiring a personal trainer at my gym, XSport Fitness in Downers Grove, to help with strength drills.

But Girl Scout cookies throw me for a loop. I'd forgotten about the dozens of boxes we'd ordered, which, of course, had to arrive this week. I eat a half-box on Monday.

This sets the tone for the rest of the week. Mentally, I can't start my regimen "mid"-week. I resolve my guilt over the cookie splurge by promptly eating more. By week's end, I polish off two more boxes.

Because I've already fallen off the eating-healthy wagon, it's hard to stay motivated during workouts. After a first training session of endless squats and lunges, I'm so sore I can barely move. I cancel my second session, ending the week thoroughly disgusted with myself.

Week 2

Disgust, as it turns out, is a great motivator.

I eat well this week. A typical breakfast is oatmeal or an English muffin with tomato and low-fat cheese. For lunch, I'll eat a healthy frozen meal with veggies; for dinner, whole wheat pasta with turkey sausage. I snack on string cheese, fruit and yogurt. I allow myself a treat a day, like a cookie or piece of chocolate.

I also test out the pool. I was forced to learn basic strokes in high school gym, but I've never mastered or used them consistently.

And it shows. After one length of the pool, I'm exhausted. A half-mile -- about 36 pool lengths -- seems incomprehensible. I leave the gym, completely discouraged.

After my Wednesday session, my arms hurt the rest of the week. I'm still getting used to the idea of having a trainer, let alone allowing him to see how unfit I really am.

At one point, he asks me to bench press, but I can't hold the bar up by itself, let alone with weights on it. Yikes. I'm pretty sure the only reason my trainer, Matt Bailey, hasn't told me to give up now is because I've paid him good money not to.

But I am seeing progress! I can run two miles, despite ever-present side stitches and moving at a snail's pace. (Is there such a thing as a 30-minute mile?)

Week 3

I bought a bike this week!

It cost me $720 and another $100 in extras. Whoever said working out is cheap clearly hasn't trained for a triathlon.

I swim a couple times this week. In a shocking development, it's no easier to swim a half-lap than it was the first time. I try other strokes, finding breaststroke much more doable. Also nice is just lying on my back and drifting.

On Wednesday, I'm bombarded by thoughts of cheese pizza. All day, I think about spicy tomato sauce and gooey cheese. Matt senses my distraction and calls me on it.

He says, "These are the days it's especially important to dig deep. Push as hard as you can."

He inspires me to do 20 minutes of cardio after our one-hour training session.

Then I go home and order pizza.

Week 4

I'm able to run 40 minutes! A miracle.

Matt also tells me I should buy a kickboard to do basic swim drills.

"I thought those were for little kids," I say, a bit condescendingly.

"No," he says. "Big people use them, too." His face clearly says, "And you definitely need to."

So I buy one. On his advice, I also buy a protein supplement that supposedly revs my metabolism to burn calories even when I'm not exercising. Genius!

A personal trainer and protein shakes -- who am I? I guess I can call myself an "official" athlete!

An end-of-the-week obstacle: My 28th birthday and Easter. I fall apart, eating-wise. To make up for it, I drag my boyfriend outside on Sunday for a three-mile run.

Week 5

This week, I incorporate interval training -- short bursts of speed -- into my workouts. Experts say it's a good way to increase endurance.

But I don't feel good after long workouts, like 50 minutes or more. I actually feel nauseous. Is that normal?

Week 6

But I always bounce back. I've definitely noticed more definition in my stomach and arms, and this is encouraging. I must be doing something kind of right! I know there's times I'm too hard on myself.

This week I'm giving my body a break -- and prepping for my first 5K on Sunday, Chicago's Race to Wrigley.

Since training started, I've been working out five or six days a week. I hit the gym three times this week for light sessions.

On Saturday, Matt takes a first look at my swim technique and says I have a lot of work ahead of me. "You can walk during the run and you can bike real slow," he says, very seriously. "But if you don't know how to swim properly, you can drown."

The insecurity and doubt return.

The next day, I tackle my first 5K. It's freezing out, with a nice mix of rain, snow and heavy wind to aid my run. But being around the other thousands of runners is a definite adrenaline boost.

The first two miles fly by. I actually even pass people! I've paced myself well, speeding up slightly the last mile. Plenty of runners are walking. And I'm not one of them!

When I see that three-mile marker -- while going through the Wrigley concourse -- I feel absolutely exhilarated. I've almost made it! Crossing the finish line was by far the best part of my training so far. More than anything, it was a huge confidence boost. It means I'll be able to do at least one leg of the race!

I finish in around 31 minutes, stellar by no means, but a huge accomplishment nonetheless. A few months ago, I would've laughed at the idea of doing a 5K. Looking back, all my fears suddenly seem silly.

Maybe I can do this triathlon. And maybe I won't even finish last!

Week 7

The weather has finally turned nice. I ride my bike outdoors for the first time this year, soaking in the light breeze, warm sun and fresh scents.

I also swim twice this week, focusing on breathing. I tend to tilt my head up after breathing to the side, which throws off my stroke. My friend, a swim coach, also tells me I need to kick more from my hips than from my feet.

I have no idea what this means, but I'm sure it's good info to know. By week's end, I can swim three lengths of the pool.

Hey, baby steps.

U.S. Women's Triathlon

Where: Naperville's Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave.

When: June 21-22

• Multisport Experience

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 21

Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.

Features: Course talks, packet pickup, exhibitors

• Race day

7 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 22

Swim start: 7 a.m.; post-race party: until 1 p.m.

Location: Grand Pavilion along the Riverwalk

Distance: .75K swim, 23K bike, 5K run sprint distance

Fees: Elite/Open Age/Family Division $70. Relay teams $120.

To register: Register online until midnight June 11 at www.uswts.com.