For Betsy Monroe, the weeks start easy and end vicious.
For Chuck Knoles, the addition of music and new sneakers have made all the difference in his training.
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Chuck Knoles gets in some strength training at Trees Hall on the Pitt campus in Oakland. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette) |
These two triathlete hopefuls are moving into the most difficult phase of training for their first Seagate Pittsburgh Triathlon on July 13. Neither is following to a "T" the training schedule suggested by the Friends of the Riverfront, the sponsors of the event to be held on the North Shore.
But both have found a regimen that works for them and are optimistic they'll be able to complete the Olympic distance event that includes a 1.5K swim (6.9 of a mile) in the Allegheny River, 40K bike race (24.8 miles) on the Interstate 279 HOV lanes; and 10K run (6.2 miles) along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
Monroe, 33, a stay-at-home mom with two small boys in Regent Square, says she's quite tired by the end of each week. She rests on Mondays and starts up with a kickboxing class on Tuesday. She swims on Wednesdays, bikes on Thursdays (usually from her home to Schenley Park and back) and runs through Frick Park on Fridays. She takes longer bike rides, often through Fox Chapel up to Beechwood Farms, on the weekends.
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Betsy Monroe runs through Frick Park as part of her training regimen, accompanied by Sassy. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette) | |
"My kickboxing class has gotten relatively easy compared to the rest of the week," she said. "It's a breeze."
Just when her training becomes most intense later this month, she'll be spending time with relatives at cottages in Michigan. Family members have offered to watch the boys so she can concentrate on her training.
"It's my vacation paradise," Monroe said. "There are a zillion lakes, no mountains and plenty of running and biking routes."
Knoles, the University of Pittsburgh head swim coach, hasn't worked out much in the past decade, but said training has become much easier since he added music.
"One of the things that was really bothering me, I was doing way too much thinking when I was running. I was reviewing my work. While I was relieving stress by running, I was dealing with problems at work that I hadn't resolved."
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More info
 Weeks 10 through 13 of a suggested training schedule.
The Seagate Pittsburgh Triathlon also offers a shorter Adventure race, which includes a 12-mile bike ride, 2-mile kayak paddle and 3.2-mile run. In both races, participants can do full distance or break events into relays with friends.
Athletes must attend a mandatory orientation, offered either at 6:30 p.m. July 9 at the Three Rivers Rowing Association on Washington's Landing, or at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. July 12 at North Shore Riverfront Park.
Full details at www.friendsoftheriverfront.org or call 412-648-8341.
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Once he got a minidisk player with earphones, his mind was preoccupied with the music, his favorite being jazz or songs with a strong beat. "Boy, what a difference that makes. It has just been wonderful. It allows me to go into this special place when I'm exercising."
Knoles, 49, of Oakland, also resolved some increasing pain in his Achilles tendon with new athletic shoes. "I was to the point that my Achilles tendon was so sore I had to wear shoes that didn't have a back on them at all."
He's been taking two to three days off from exercising each week, which he said allows his older body to recover. He's also incorporating weight lifting and a lot of step running into his workouts.
"I know my blood pressure has dropped, and I actually enjoy the little post-exercise high that you get."
Over the next few weeks he hopes to do some mini-triathlons to get used to switching among activities. He also plans to get plenty of rest during the final week before the event.
"I don't want to go into it tired," he said. "I want to go into it feeling good."
To read our first report on Betsy Monroe and Chuck Knoles, which appeared on April 29, click here.
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