Two steps forward. One step back.

The season is well and truly started but I don't know if I'm going forward or back.

Yesterday I was in the pool for the first time in a few weeks. And it hurt. Badly. I was terrible. Technique was awful. My endurance non-existent. I quit a session early for the first time ever. I left with my tail firmly between my legs.

This hurt all the more because over the past few weeks I have been properly trying to get into my running. I have been getting at least two sessions in a week, squeezing them in at lunchtime My mileage has been increasing steadily. Unfortunately the speed isn't increasing at the same speed. But nonetheless I'm running consistently which is more than I was doing this time last year.

My cycling has been improving as well. At least three times a week I am cycling into work, so the legs are firmly turning and the body is getting back into decent shape.

And then the swimming debacle happened.

Finding a balance between all three disciplines isn't easy as life is flying by. But with only 4 weeks to my first race of the season I'll have to find the balance and get wet into the pool more often. Fast.

No time to be going backwards.

Why do triathletes shave their chests?

Triathletes are a funny bunch. Aero helmets I can understand. €5,000 on a bike. I understand.  Shaved legs. I kinda understand. Shaving your chest. Now this one is lost on me.

I've spoken before about the lingo of triathlon and it has taken me a few years to get my head around it and I am still learning.  Then there's the kit, the gear, the training aids. Garmin. Strava. GPS. Power meter.

All are seen as ways to improve and ways to get faster.

Last year I debated whether to get a TT, sorry time trial,  bike. My attempt to get better. I got faster but I also got passed by a lot of triathletes on regular bikes. I am getting better. There is always a sese that you have to be able to use the equipment to the best of your ability, and not come in at the back...all look. No substance! You can turn up for your first triathlon with all the gear but chances are it won't work. 

My newest debate in attempt to get better is the possible investment in an aero helmet. My next level of trying to get better.  I want to get faster. I am trying to train harder to get faster.  But I don't want to look like that guy who's spent money but is still crap.

I want to be faster. I want to be a better triathlete.  But I really don't want to look foolish.  So I'm currently looking at semi-aero helmets. It'll work while training as well as racing (I don't want to use the word 'competing' yet). So it will be another step. 

You can say looking well is important but backing that up with results in triathlon is key.

So this year is about upgrading my gear slightly and upgrading the results significantly. Last year the TT bike made sense. So this year I hope the (semi) aero helmet makes sense.

Each year I am learning more. Understanding what can help to make the small differences.  Maybe I am yet to fully learn, but quite how shaving you chest will make a difference is beyond me.