Introduction and Welcome!

Okay, my name is Paul and this is my first shot at blogging, other than posting on Facebook.

I generally don't share too much information online, but when my wife and I started our journey to complete a triathlon, I didn't have much to go on as far as what to expect.  Then somebody posted on Facebook asking if anybody had a blog about it.  I thought that what went through my head was probably odd, unique, and that nobody would really care about how I/we progressed through our development into competitors in a triathlon, but what the heck... let's give it a tri!

First off, much of this has been done because my wife and I enjoy being outside, enjoy spending time together, and are both pretty competitive.  We've been wanting to get in better shape, and a triathlon seemed like a great way to have fun, get in shape, and meet lots of incredible people.  We found out about a class at our local Fleet Feet, here in Huntsville, for introductory classes on running.  I know... who would want to PAY to run?  Who would want that torture, the shin splints, the side stitches, the injuries, and the wasted time?  Apparently... us.  And many others it turns out!

We signed up for two classes.  The first class was the No Boundaries class.  This class is meant to get you up to speed, so to speak, to run a 5k.  This class is a 10 week session that progressively builds in distance, starting at a mile with interval times (walk, run/walk, or run are all options) and is meant to be a basic class to get you up and active.

A bit of history here for you: I ran Cross Country and Track in high school, 28+ years ago, so it isn't new to me.  But a car accident/knee injury, age, and weight turned me more into a casual trotter.  But in late 2011, after a wake up call at the doctor's office, I started working out at the local Y.  Weights, Body Pump, elliptical, and hiking up at Monte Sano got me off my butt and getting active.  I lost 20 lbs that way (195 back down to 175).  I've maintained that weight since early 2012 to this day. 

My wife started doing the gym too and did a lot of cardio and was actually the one to start going to Body Pump. Looked like fun, so I join her when I can.  She's also the one that wanted to get into the running thing.  She is DEFINITELY my inspiration for doing all of this.  Those of you who may know her know what I'm talking about.  She doesn't do anything half way at all.  She's driven, strong, and dedicated and probably something I really need when it comes to working out.  I would take the easy way and shortcut things when it came to workouts, and probably why I never really did all the great in high school athletics.  She shows me every day what it means to give it your best - in everything she does.

Okay, now that we're signed up for NOBO, we ran into Rick, one of the Tri 101 trainers.  We met him several months earlier while we were on a camping trip with some friends.  He pulled up in his nice Jeep Wrangler YJ, so I just had to talk with him (Jeeps are one of my favorite hobbies).  He knows a friend of mine, David, and we talked a bit.  Wished him well in his race the next day (a marathon IIRC) and went about our business.  When we saw him at Fleet Feet and found out he was the head coach for Tri 101, we signed up for that one too.

I mean, how hard could it be?  We both scuba dive (Swimming - CHECK).  We both can ride a bike (Biking - CHECK), and we're going to be running (Reluctantly - CHECK).  Since Tri101 started a month or so after NOBO, we figured we'd be in a good position to handle the physicality of adding swimming and biking to our routine.

From here on out, I'll be talking about NOBO and Tri101 together, but will distinguish when I'm talking about either when needed.

Coming up:  Summary of NOBO half way through the program and how it has impacted our Tri101 training.