Try a tri
Since 2021, I have been dabbling in the sport of triathlon. I have been a runner since I was in high school and have completed over 40 half marathons and 5 marathons, but I found myself getting tired of running. After years in the sport, it's easy to get into the habit of comparing time and fitness levels to yourself from fitter or faster phases of life. I liked the idea of trying new sports and being active without running the same routes over and over again.
I had a road bike from a decade ago. I pumped up the tires, dusted off my helmet and took it on the roads of south Bradley County. I was hooked! Anyone who has gotten into cycling knows there are endless accessories and gadgets to make the sport more interesting and fun. I enjoyed trying new cycling shorts, figuring out which of my sunglasses I preferred riding in, and getting my clip pedals and shoes out of the closet. Cycling is more time consuming than running and requires a little more planning. I usually drive to a location along the route of rural roads I like to ride and have to bring all my bike bottles, nutrition, helmet, bike pump, etc. I do like that it doesn't pound your legs quite like running does. It is also easier to do in the heat of the summer because the speed provides some cooling winds.
Like cycling, I had experience swimming but hadn't been in a pool to swim laps in years. I joined the Y and started swimming as much as I felt like I could. At the beginning, I didnt have a great sense of how hard I was working so I would find myself stopping after a few lengths to "catch my breath." When I realized I was just getting used to breathing in a rhythm, I was able to push past the few lengths and swim for longer and longer without stopping. The YMCA indoor pool is a great local resource for anyone looking to get into swimming. You can lap swim at most times of day. If you want to try open water swimming, check out Parksville Beach or the day use area at the Chickamauga Dam in Chattanooga. Always swim with a buddy and use a booey strapped to your waist so boaters can see you. Getting over my fear of "things" touching me while open water swimming has been one of the most fun parts about discovering triathlon. I love being outside in the summer, so open water swimming has been a really fun new hobby of mine.
I have done the Waterfront Triathlon in Chattanooga three times. There are two distances in that race: an Olympic (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 6mi run) and a Sprint (400m swim, 20k bike, 5k run). This is a great beginner-friendly local race that I would highly recommend. After feeling confident after my first Olympic distance triathlon at the Chattanooga Waterfront Tri, I signed up for Ironman 70.3 in August, GA in 2021. I really pushed myself to bike and run more than I ever had in training. It was a big challenge and I really enjoyed the accomplishment! I am going back to do it again next month, September 2023.
As much as I have loved trying new sports and challenging myself in new ways, I have missed the grind of running more miles each week. I have had to cut back on my running miles to keep my legs fresh enough to cycle three times a week for triathlon training. After this half Ironman in September, I am looking forward to getting back to my first love: running.
What's the deal with triathlons? Terra Girls Episode 12
This week, Tiff chats with Brittany about her latest triathlon, how she prepares, what the different distances are, and how to get started.
Compression: It Really Works!
I used to be a compression skeptic. Sure, the tight, bright colored compression sleeves *look* cool, but do they work? Are tight socks worth the hassle of getting them on and off? Aren’t they hot? How will I get tan? All of these questions gave me pause when going for compression socks in the past, until the “Shin Incident of 2021.”
I never had issues with my shins. I have been running for years on hard surfaces, but always had good shoes so I never dealt with sore shins or shin splints. In 2021, I started training for a triathlon. I would run 2-3 times a week, along with multiple bike rides and early morning swim sessions sprinkled in. Even though I was running less (or maybe because I was running less?) my shins started to hurt at the beginning of every run. To combat the shin issues, I would try the advice I dish out to customers daily. I stretched before and after each run. I tried to start the run at a slower pace or even a walk to warm up. When those didn’t work, I decided to try calf sleeves.
The OS1 Knee Compression Sleeve brings down swelling naturally while adding support.
Terra Running Company carries OS1st compression products, and they really are some of the best compression on the market. I tried the plain black calf sleeves and I cannot overemphasize how impressed I was. I was an instant compression convert. I wore them after my run a few times, and then when I felt that my shins would be really sore, I would wear them during a run. A few months later, when I fell hard on my knee trail running, I got a OS1st compression knee sleeve to bring down the swelling naturally. It was a lifesaver!
Even though it was the heat of the summer, the calf sleeves didn't make me any warmer than I would have been without them. According to their website, ”OS1st uses top-quality, high-performance, moisture-wicking materials with a silver-ion anti-microbial treatment. Materials include Lycra Spandex, micro-nylon, nano-bamboo charcoal, and Merino Wool treated with silver-ion for moisture-wicking and anti-microbial.” All that to say, these aren’t cotton socks. These aren’t even cheap polyester socks. These are meant to sweat in, so don’t let the fact that they cover up your skin scare you away.
You may be wondering what makes OS1st different. I’m sure you’ve seen ads for other brand’s “Buy 1 get 45 free” compression socks, or something that seems too good to be true. Well, it probably is. Not all compression is created equally. Their website states that, “unlike some compression products, all OS1st products are 100% medical grade compression. We apply our compression with our patented Compression Zone Technology ® which targets specific joints and muscles so you can be active and pain-free.” These aren’t just tight socks. They use targeted Compression Zone Technology, which varies the compression based on where on your body it is. The compression knee sleeves, for example, have a tighter compression above and below the knee cap to stabilize and give support.
Terra Running Company carries compression products from OS1st for all sorts of body parts: quads, knees, shins, plantar fasciitis (a popular one!), elbows, and more. If you are interested in learning more about how compression can help you stay active, stop in and let me, Tiff, Asher, or Brennan measure and help you find the best compression for your issues! Avoid your own “Shin Incident of 2022."