Training

Hello... I'm Tri3-Mike and I'm a train-aholic... Ok, train-aholic may give the connotation of the person at the alcoholics/drug anonymous seminar that ends up homeless because of their addiction. My addiction isn't taking me down the road toward homelessness. Although, my wife and dedicated supporter (or the addiction facilitator) may say otherwise. However, I'm obsessed with training. Whether that training is for the next race (marathon or triathlon) or maintaining a training base, I put 100% effort into the training cycle.

During my marathon training program, I wake at 4am, have a cup of coffee, and I'm on the road before 5am. My weekday runs average five miles. There is a combination of recovery, cardio and anaerobic built into the weekday run. For the weekend long run it is phased run: warm-up, moderate effort, several sprints between 100 meters to a half-mile and cool down. The long runs start out at eight miles and build to 30 miles a month before the race. I minimize training to one run a day, include an upper body workout at least twice a week and swim two times a week.

My family has endured more highs and lows than I care to count. During the training cycle, I am the guy that comes home at 7pm, eats dinner, and falls fast sleep on the couch (usually while talking to the "addiction facilitator"). They support me on my weekend long runs, riding ahead in the car and waiting for me to jog up, take a water bottle and gel, and give a set of quick instructions on where to meet me next. They endure the grumpy beast that comes with the inevitable over training. They are always out on race day even in the rain and cold or extreme heat.

My addiction has effected quite a few dear individuals. My running partner and best friend (who I will call Tom or the "instigator", to protect the guilty) was the one who provided the fuel for the addiction. It was the instigator, who on an innocent run in December 2003 suggested that as our New Year's resolution we should train for and run the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon. Over the last six years, the instigator has endured many runs which exceeded the pre-determined pace or distance. He takes my annoying competitiveness with a grain of salt. Although, it is usually he who picks up the pace, I'm the one that gets the blame. However, he never allows himself to become too addicted, like the time I announced that I was going to run the Bull Run Run, a 50-mile trail run through the Bull Run Mountains in Virginia, "that is just a crazy idea" was his response. Even my berating comments had no effect, he was not "that dedicated". Then there are those that as an addict, I have have pulled into the web.

LaVonda and Ed (names changed to protect the innocent) , my sister and brother-in-law, who became addicted to running in 2004. LaVonda and Ed are proof that anyone can take up running. She was never an athlete and let's just say that they both had some excess tonnage. In March 2005, we ran the Sea Side Half Marathon. Then in January 2006, they ran their first marathon (Disney Marathon) which I proudly ran with them to share the moment. Since those early days, they have ran many half and full marathons. They are now triathletes and have become train-aholics.

At some level we are all addicted to something (at least, I'm convinced that I'm not the only one with a problem). If running, cycling and swimming are the worst addictions that I ever have, I have succeeded in life.

Tri-ON,

Mike