So, How's Your Training Going?

Many people ask me this question, and my answer is always along the lines of, "Well, I've been really busy until now. But it's going to be good!" With a little over a month to go til the Big Day, I guess I can finally say that my training is starting to pick up speed. (Mind you, only metaphorically.) I am either running, cycling or swimming every day, and my feelings of dread at the prospect of collapsing after mile two of the final stretch are slowly being allayed. Just like a sailor get his sea legs, I am getting my obligatory shin splints and blown-out knees, and loving every excruciating moment of it.

Last Sunday, I went on a forty-five (45) mile bike ride, which is the longest ride I've done since my high school bike racing days. Back then, we did several forty-five milers a week, and a fifty-to-seventy miler on Sundays. And that was in Chicago in February. Anyway, this past Sunday's ride was amazing- I rode from my abode on the Lower East Side up to Central Park's Engineer's Gate at 90th St. and 5th Ave. to meet up with the One Family group. From there we rode over to Riverside Drive, up and across the George Washington Bridge, and up New Jersey's Palisades Parkway to the New York state line, and back. The weather was cool and overcast, which is perfect exercise weather. The whole experience just reminded me why I have always loved cycling.

Oh, and running and swimming are okay as well. The advantage of running is that you don't need an external apparatus or special venue to do it, and the advantage of swimming is that you are rather unlikely to crash or blow out your knees. However, both lack the freedom, adventure and camaraderie of cycling. While I look forward to completing this triathlon for the worthy efforts of the One Family Fund, you may find me in the future doing more bike rides to support the other charitable causes I am passionate about.

In the meantime, don't forget to donate, and enjoy the summer!