Despite being sidelined (somewhat) by my eyes still being very uncomfortable and light-sensitive, I have gotten in two workouts on my bike trainer, two workouts in the pool using an aqua jogger, and two runs (in the shade!!).

Top 10 things I’ve learned during my stint as a modified/vampire triathlete:

1. Oh, so you thought since your “undercarriage” wasn’t getting sore while riding outside that you were pretty tough, huh? Yeah, your bike trainer disagrees….

2. Aqua joggers not only look a bit ridiculous but they manage to kick your butt WHILE making you look ridiculous. (Imagine running stairs while wearing an inner tube – could you be ANY cooler??? Maybe if you added one of those orange, reflective safety vests…) These workouts are designed to increase all kinds of endurance (strength, power, ability to endure humiliation, etc). I will say though, after just 2 sessions, I am wholly convinced of the benefits of incorporating regular aqua jogging into your routine (not just when you’re injured/light averse).

3. The Sufferfest cycling videos may be the most awesome thing of all time. http://www.thesufferfest.com/ If you need a highly entertaining, and wickedly motivational DVD to get you through a trainer session, consider these (they’re very reasonably priced, in my opinion). They’re similar to the format used during the Fleet Feet Winter Tri trainer sessions except these add a whole bunch of hilarious trash talk to encourage you to SUFFER!!!!

4. If I tried to do an aqua jogging workout without music, I might die. Of boredom. Solution?? Playing a Sufferfest video on my iPod and doing swim/sprint intervals along with the soundtrack!

5. The cat does not approve of my bike + trainer being in the kitchen. She has actually taken to sleeping in the kitchen doorway, just to keep an eye on things. If I wind up with a flat tire, I had better not find little kitty teeth marks…

6. Even though I’ve started calling myself a vampire (because sunlight burns my eyes) apparently I still don’t get to bite people. Darn bath salt users ruin everything…

7. Prescription goggles are much less expensive than I expected. I probably should have looked into them sooner. But they are now ordered and I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival!

8. Taking a step back from my normal routine of training has been really nice, in terms of giving me a fresh perspective and renewed resolve. That said, next time I’d prefer to take a step back for a vacation to Bermuda, rather than for corneal blisters…

9. If you’re going to have to take your summer training indoors, make sure and do it on the week when it hits 100 degrees outside. That way you can act like it was totally planned…

10. In 20 years, I’ll never remember the workouts I did the week before this, but I will probably have some vivid recollections of my “vampire week”. Despite being very physically uncomfortable and, frankly, exhausting, my memories will be good. I will remember that my world got bigger this week – I found out I really kind of like aqua jogging (with music…) and I get a total kick out of those cycling videos, plus I learned about prescription goggles and dealt with developing a training schedule from a new perspective. Before I know it, the “pain” of all of this will be behind me (literally, with regards to the trainer. And also beneath me…), but the benefits of having run up this “hill” will be mine to keep (and share).