Spreadsheet of lifts. Protein levels. Training seven days a week.

For Cyrus Black and Alex Diamond, these routines have become a part of their daily lives until they travel to Oahu, Hawaii, to run a triathlon on May 17 for their May Project. Training has forced them to think carefully about their health, from how they fuel their bodies to how they recover.

The race, a mile swim, 10K run and 40K bike ride, requires endurance and careful preparation. Cyrus has competed in a triathlon before, while Alex has never participated in one. 

With fewer academic responsibilities as a second semester senior, Cyrus was eager to commit himself to a May Project that he was passionate about.

“Right now I’m not doing anything else and, as a second-semester senior, there isn’t too much to do in terms of work and that other kind of stuff,” Cyrus said. “It’s nice to pour my work and effort into something that’s hard and I can be passionate about because, obviously, the results are showing and they will.”

Alex chose to participate in a triathlon because he didn’t have any other ideas for his May Project, and he was excited about the prospect of being with a friend.

Both Cyrus and Alex have built training plans and train separately due to living on opposite sides of the city. For Cyrus, each day of his seven days of training has a specific focus, such as swimming, leg strength, biking or running. Alex trains in a similar way, by focusing on one major area each day.

Beyond just exercise, food plays a large role in training as well. Cyrus follows a structured meal plan, eating more protein in the morning and increasing carbohydrates throughout the day. This allows him to maximize his amount of energy for his after school training. Alex has also focused on increasing his protein intake as part of training.

Despite his soreness from training, Cyrus recognizes the positive impact training has had on his general health.

“ It’s been great. I feel very well, I feel very sore. I’d say almost every single day I’m starting to get less

and less [sore]. But when it gets to that period that I’ve been planning for, I feel great,” Cyrus said. “I feel like I could do whatever I need to do very well. And when I give myself that, you know, rest day and I come back. I feel amazing.”

Alex said the training has made him feel generally healthier.

“I feel really good after I train,” Alex said. “I feel just better about myself, like I’m actually doing something.”

As May 17 approaches, both athletes continue to train, turning daily, healthy choices into routines that will help them cross the finish line.