Swim, bike or run--which do you think I'll always choose?
I’m about one week out from my second triathlon of the season, the Dewey Beach sprint. And let me tell you, my motivation to get in the swimming and cycling miles is majorly lagging.
I’ve known for years now that my heart is really in running and not triathlon. It’s the reason I quit doing them five years ago. This summer, for whatever reason, I got excited to do a couple again. I have enjoyed the training, really, and thoroughly enjoyed the Iron Girl sprint. But all along I’ve also been longing to get back to a simpler training regimen, one that mainly involves running with a little bit of cross training thrown in.
But there’s still the matter of this upcoming tri. As I’m writing this post on Thursday, I am struggling to get out the door and go for a swim. Did I struggle at 5 a.m. today to go run seven miles? No. I am also struggling to force myself to go ride tomorrow. Especially when an invitation to do a five-mile trail run popped up in my email today. And the past two weeks have not been a stellar of example of how someone should train for a tri, let’s just say that.
Really, you’d think I could just suck it up for one more week. But I’m not entirely sure I’ll pull that off. Will I hate myself come next Saturday when my swim and bike splits are less than desirable? Yes. But does running almost always win? Yes, again.
So what do you think–did I get in the pool yesterday? Did I get on my bike today? Should I just follow my heart (and my feet) when it comes to training?
While I’ve never done a tri, I will say that cross training is not my fav. I’d rather run than do anything else. I’d be all over that 5 mile trail run rather than on my bike!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Friday Fit – “Eight is Enough” HIIT
I have found through triathlon training how much more I love running. But, seeing how fast my runs are right now, I appreciate the biking and swimming as I am now much stronger than I was a few months ago. Good luck on your triathlon next week. The season is almost over and while I am sad, I am really looking forward to marathon training again.
Robin recently posted..Getting My Bike Ready to Go 56 Miles
I share a similar mindset … I can get up fairly early (mind you not 5AM!) and get out the door and find motivation to run. I cannot find motivation to do other workouts with as much “passion”. I enjoy swimming, but there is something about just being able to open my front door and be able to run is just more appealing. With swimming, I would need to get in my car and drive to the pool. It adds a layer of complexity! Running is so pure and simple.
Christina recently posted..Creating healthy lunch options for kids to take to school
A tri is on my post baby bucket list but I know I’m going to be with you on missing my simple running schedule! I think you did it but were probably grumbling quite a bit!
I have a feeling that you probably did get in the pool and did jump on your bike. However, I totally know what you mean when your heart isn’t in it. There’s a part of me that does believe that we should follow our heart and feet with regard to training – we’ll stick with it if we do what we love, right? But at the same time, there are also many times when I’ve trained for a race when I didn’t want to go out the door but having that training plan kept me honest and accountable. I know that I’m a competitive person and, as much as I would want to say that I didn’t care about a race, I know that I still do care.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Friday Round-up: Priorities, Family, and Boobies
i hear you. My goal was to do some tri’s this summer, but running is what I love and swimming and riding seemed like such a chore. Maybe next year. hahaha GOOD LUCK next weekend. Plus.. if you didn’t swim or bike for the next week I doubt it will make any impact. What’s one week? If you want to go on the trail run, you should do that. Do what you enjoy
Kristy (@KrisRunTri) recently posted..Miles For Smiles 5K Race Recap
Ha- I 100% know how you feel on this one!! I think it’s ok to skip the swimming- you have a great base and I’ve always assumed you’re good at it since you’ve consistently kept it up as cross-training.
I’m guessing you skipped the swim but got on the bike?
This year I actually fell in love with biking (although it’ll never beat running), but I could always skip the swim!
Abby @ Change of Pace recently posted..IM Canada 2012 – the run
Remember this, ” YOU RIDE FOR SHOW AND YOU RUN FOR DOUGH”
Lance Armstrong
JFord recently posted..Open Letter to Myself…
For some reason I always dread heading to swims but by the end am always happiest when I swim. I find it calming and love that feeling of getting out of the pool after my workout. Now, if I could just afford a pool I’d be set. Ha!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Green Means Good – Phoenix
Not sure what the pooint of training for something you don’t enjoy is–accept that your performance will be subpar in some aspects and enjoy the event overall!
Kovas – Midwest Multisport Life recently posted..Making the Big Time: Mentioned in Outside Mag
I can definitely relate- that’s what is holding me back from signing up for more tris… I do enjoy the cross training, but don’t like feeling like I “have to” get it in… I especially struggle to get myself to the pool. Enjoy the tri, and then it’s back to a fall of running!
Laura recently posted..A special day and a SPIbelt giveaway
I saw follow your heart and do what makes you happy. Even if your swim and bike splits aren’t what you desire, I am sure that your run will make up for it.
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Friday Favorites: Why I Love Fall
I have same dilemma but usually comesmwith crosstraining and lifting weights. I don’t like it, and when’s get the time, I end up saying…well….a run would be ok actually, and end up running instead.
Good luck on the tri!
Ny Wolve recently posted..Fall is here with New Challenges
I’m guessing you probably did both – just begrudgingly. Your heart is the same reason I don’t do tri’s – I tri’ed (ba dum pah!) but just couldn’t get that excited about biking and swimming. That said, I love a nice swim to stretch out after a long run, but it’s just so much work to drag myself to the pool, shower, swim, worry about equipment, etc. Blech! Just give me my running shoes and I’m happy!
Sheila recently posted..Pardon the Disruption
I think you swam and you rode your bike because you committed to the event. You know how to push through things that get tough, mentally as well as physically and it seems since you’re not enjoying the swim nor the bike, those two things have become mentally tough. Think of it as pushing through the toughest miles of the run when you want to quit but won’t allow your self to stop. Just ONE MORE TIME…get through the sprint triathlon then focus on running.
Joanne recently posted..Ball Blue Book Basil Pesto
Often it’s great to push out of our comfort zones but you’ll never go wrong following your heart. Have a great weekend!
Teamarcia recently posted..Foodie Friday: Cucumber Edition
A little follow-up: I DID suck it up, get the swim in yesterday and the bike today. Enjoyed both, but I am ready for fall running!
I was just going to post that I’m betting you did the training…I was right! Way to go….
Robin recently posted..Guiness Book World Record – Ironman
I don’t think I could ever enter a tri (other than the fact that i am a terrible swimmer) because I would just rather run than any of the other training.
Kari @ Running Ricig recently posted..How to mooch off of your parents at age 27
Running is what I like the least (and my worst sport of the three). Last year, I was pretty dedicated to and seemed to enjoy swimming the most. This year, I seem to have less issue getting out for pretty long bike rides (although doing it with a group more this year has made it more enjoyable too). Maybe someday I’ll actually like to run. I’m better at it than I used to be, but that isn’t saying much.
Christina recently posted..Epic Mud Run Recap
Follow your heart when it comes to training!! Nothing is enjoyable if you force yourself to do something you don’t want to do! I was the same way when I was in the Army and had to train for PT tests…I would wait to the last possible moment to do the necessary training for the pushup portion…and I would curse myself on the test day knowing that I could do “x” more if I just put my mind to it earlier. But it’s hard to do that when your heart is not in it!!
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Pumpkin – Boy or Girl??
I wouldn’t think aerobically speaking, skipping one swim or one bike ride and instead doing a trail run is going to make much different in your sprint tri splits. I
Pool!!!! lol….i love the pool myself, well when it is not crowded!
Ed recently posted..Missing mojo and such…
Training for a triathalon makes me tired just thinking about it. I love reading blogs of running rockstars like yourself…makes my half training seem like nothing.
Just go with what your body’s telling you. xo, Jess
Jessica Washburn@sweatismysanity recently posted..Friday Favs {you may want to sit down}
I once told my running coach point blank that “swimming makes me sad”!
My attitude towards it has gotten more positive, but I agree, you just can’t beat the simplicity of running! Running has never made me sad:)
Adrienne recently posted..Zoning Out
It’s funny how different we all are but love being and staying fit. That is what matters. Cycling wins for me and I will get up early to swim but not to run. I have loved the training of all 3 versus just the running.
At your level of running fitness you can pull of a sprint with minimal swim/bike training. Possible: yes. Recommended for most: no.
Why not do a bike/run brick? Go for an hour ride THEN go for your 5-mile trail run. Best of both worlds.
Do what you enjoy and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t place where you think you should. Your place/time is dependent on the level of effort you put into your training. Do your best on the swim and bike then HAMMER THE RUN!
Dianna on Maui recently posted..Practical Paleo Review and Giveaway!!
I feel the same way and occasionally I even feel that way about running (but not very often) You will crush that tri no matter what. You’re an amazing fit athlete.. come race day you will knock it outa the park.. I just know it.
LisaM@RunWiki recently posted..Hello Again
I completely know how you feel. I struggled with the same thing this summer. I’m so happy to be 100% back to marathon training, but part of me thinks I want to do more triathlons, but then when I think about biking and swimming I just would rather go run. Guess I should follow my heart right now. I still think you will rock your tri!
Beth @ Miles and Trials recently posted..Upcoming Race and NYC Training
Triathlons would probably make me feel uncomfortable because I’m not a confident biker or swimmer (and I’ve never done one!), but I sometimes like doing things outside of my comfort zone. But once I got it out of my system, I would go back to what I love. Even though running is comfortable, there are still so many little challenges and hurdles to overcome that it will hopefully never get boring.
Yo Momma Runs recently posted..Aldi, shoes, and poison ivy remedies
Your blog totally rocks.
Best of luck in Dewey Beach next week!
Karl S
yes, for me always RUNNING!
I own a recreational bike, but I struggle to use it often. it’s too much, = air the tires, put the bike rack on the car, load the bike, drive to the trail…..by the time I do all of that, I can be done with my run.
shoes on, out the door – ME LIKE!
Ginny recently posted..Top of Utah 26.2 & Boston Registration-will I get in?
I couldn’t agree more
I have try to balance my workouts but overall running is my favourite
Ali Mc recently posted..Morning Workouts, Logan Love & Chipster!
I am the exact opposite of you. I’ve always swum and always cycled and only recently started running. I don’t love running. I do it for the sense of accomplishment as I improve my endurance and speed. I just completed a sprint distance triathlon myself and the run was my weakest link by far. In fact, I finished 400+ places further back in the run than the swim or the bike. But it’s given me motivation to stick with it and improve. I hope I eventually catch the running bug and become as passionate about it as you and others. It’s certainly the most convenient sport to do!