Triathlon Training – The Beginning

The Beginning:

My name is Curtis Morley and I just signed up to be the Guinea Pig of year long experiment. The experiment is to see if Elevate Fitness, Runner’s Corner, and Fezzari/SBR Cycles can take an average guy like myself and turn him into a Triathlon Champion.

When I say I’m average I mean physically and athletically. I’m 6’ 0” tall. (a little taller than the national average male height in U.S.) I’m 199 pds (which is at least 20 pounds overweight right now). I wouldn’t say i’m buff, ripped, shredded or any of the traditional words you typically use to describe a premier Triathlete. My wife does think I’m handsome but, that could be subjective.

Based on the RunScore Age Grading I am only in the top I am definitely not a champion but I am in the 63.18% percentile demographic/bracket for my age. Thanks Runner’s World for helping me figure this out. (Find out how you compare to the rest of the runners in the world.)

The fastest mile I have ever run in my life was later this summer at about 6:30? I have severe I.T. band issues at times, especially on my right leg. Oh yeah, let’s not forget about being run over by a Chevy Suburban when I was 15 and dragged down the road 20-30 feet trapped under the front axle while scraping most of the skin and some of the muscle from my back.

You may find me crazy because I am also well below average for discretionary free time. I am someone who runs a company (a fast growing company), has five kids and a beautiful wife, travels….a lot, holds two church callings, is active in the political landscape and is on various boards in the community and other businesses.

In spite of all of that, one of the biggest worries for me in accomplishing the goal is the swim. I have never been a good swimmer. In fact I wouldn’t even classify myself as a swimmer. I would say I am more of a sinker than swimmer. I was so good at sinking in high school, in fact, that I joined the diving team. I could make it to the bottom of the pool with every dive.

I purchased my first real bike a month ago from a friend (Brooke Heubner). So, I have no experience biking but I’m not to concerned about the biking. I was a missionary for two years so  I know how to pedal. Biking doesn’t seem that hard but I’m sure there are many aspects that I’m not seeing because of my inexperience.

The run is where I am most comfortable. I love running. I love the freedom that comes from running. I wasn’t always this way. Years ago I would publicly pronounce my lack of understanding about why anyone would feel It was only a couple of years ago that I started running. It is because of my cousin Vaughn Jensen that I started running. It was hard, so hard to get started but that is another story for another post.

So this is my journey. I am going to start waking up very early every day to train down at Elevate Fitness with some incredible coaches Utah Triathletes. I’m going to reduce my body weight and fat. I am going to build muscle the smart way. I am going to learn what ketones are. I am going to give up a lot of food I really like. I am going to run harder and smarter than I ever have. I am going to pump out some major watts on the bike. I am going to learn how to swim (without drowning) and most of all I am going to learn how to break through the mental barriers that hold me back.

I’m also going to commit to take my wife out weekly on a date night, tuck my kids in bed nightly, do at least one act of service for everyone in my house, and give my wife a prize every time I hit a new milestone or achieve one of the goals.

Everyday I will share with you here the story of my journey. I will share workouts, measurements, sleep, food and results. Join me in the journey here daily. I will need your support.