The Tri Dilemma...

A tri is on my bucket list (which is probably why this blog's name ends with "and other...").  I'm ready for a couple of big athletic accomplishments in part because the achievement is something you claim forever - yet the training process always makes you better. 

Here's the dilemma. Nov 3rd I'll run the Santa Barbara International Marathon (my 3rd), however, I will also be training for the Carpinteria Triathlon which takes place Sep 29th. The only question that remains is, which distance should I train for? 

Sprint Tri: .5K Swim | 15K Bike | 5K RunOlympic Course: 1.5K Swim | 40K Bike | 10K Run

A couple of weeks ago after I had decided to shoot for the short race I went out on a bike ride to see where my biking fitness level was at. I put in an enjoyable 21 miles. Late that night, I looked up the race distance only to find that the Sprint Course is only about 9 miles. A few days later I did the 9 mile course (the exact course) and although I can improve my time, there was little insurmountable about it.
My plan for May 13 - June 10th is to just put in time doing all three exercises - not too much or too little, but an enjoyable amount. From there I will begin a 16 week tri training and during week 5 I will switch out the running component for the 16 week marathon training plan. The main challenges about any size tri is that I train in a pool not in open water - but I'll try a few night moves (short summer swim/run events) to get ready. The pool I use is at my gym and it's only 50ft so needless to say I have to keep my mind engaged in completing the repetitive laps. Another challenge is my chunky mountain bike - I know it's good enough for the sprint, I don't know if that's also the case for the Olympic distance but I presume it might be - since I rode 20 mi. with no problems. Lastly, I have never done the 3 events together - obviously. Oh and here's the magical thing, I found my dead heart rate monitor and just happened to have a new battery the right size for it, so I was able to record and observe my times from the get go!

Week one was good and below is a log (mainly for myself) and any other interested party. 

Every work out will be listed as follows:

Exercise | Distance | Time | Cals | Avg Heart Rate | Max Heart Rate | In Zone | Above Zone | Below Zone

Mon 5.13

Swim | x (about 1k) | 33:00 min | 201 cals | 

Run | 2.6 mi. | 28:03 | 305 cals | Avg HR 172 |Max HR 187 | IZ 3:16 

Tue 5.14

Bike | 7 mi | 42:25 min | 333 cals | Avg HR 140 |Max HR 174 | IZ 8:49 | Above 1:40 | Below 33:14 

Swim | x (about 1k) | 30:14 min | 206 cals | Avg HR 134 |Max HR 159 | IZ 7:28 | Above x | Below 22.46 

Wed 5.15

Run | 2.9 mi. | 34:50 | 335 cals | Avg HR 160 |Max HR 186 | IZ 10:19 | Above 17:10 | Below 7:21 

Swim | x | 30:44 min | 248 cals | Avg HR 147 |Max HR 158 | IZ 17:30 | Above x | Below 13:14

Thu 5.16

Swim | x (about 1k) | 30:18 min | 216 cals | Avg HR 136 |Max HR 151 | IZ 9:42 | Above x | Below 20:36

Fri 5.17

Run | 2.9 mi. | 37:31 | 333 cals | Avg HR 141 |Max HR 174 | IZ 17:49 | Above 2:13 | Below 12:50 

Sat 5.18

Bike | 9.4 mi | 56:10 min | 444 cals | Avg HR 143 |Max HR 172 | IZ 42:12 | Above 5:20 | Below 8:38

Swim | x (about 1k) | 30:14 min | 208 cals | Avg HR 134 |Max HR 149 | IZ 16:45 | Above x | Below 13:29

Sun 5.19

Run | 2.9 mi. | 36:05 | 289 cals | Avg HR 144 |Max HR 176 | IZ 14:28 | Above 10:30 | Below 11:07

I want a challenge and not be bored but I also love to push my limits...so which should I train for?