The Road to the Ironman – Returning to normal (well at least for me)

Now the event with George Hood is in the past the time is to focus on myself. To catch you up on George Hood, he is the gentleman who attempted to break the world record in spinning. I have written about him a few times my blogs. Now that it has been a week since the event, I am starting to sort out what I experienced during the event.

My highlights of the event -

• Met a Legend – I had the opportunity to meet a legend in the sport of triathlons, his name Bob Scott. Not only did I get to meet a legend, I became friends with Bob. Why is he a legend you may ask? Well he has been doing triathlons since triathlons have been around, so he is a 30+ year veteran in this sport. He is also an 11 time Ironman finisher and is training for his 12th Ironman which will be in Louisville, KY in late August. Adding to this, he is the most humble man I think I have ever met. I cannot wait to run and ride along with him gaining all his insight and what really makes this man tick. Oh yeah, did I mention he is 79 years old! When I finish this life if I turn out to be a quarter of Bob Scott I will be doing pretty good.
• It’s more mental – Endurance is physical, but a large part is also mental. Watching George on he handled the mental challenge during his 175 hour challenge fascinated me. I know there will be many points during my training and eventually the race itself that the mental side will either make or break this chapter of this journey. When I am out there looking at another huge hill on the bike or hitting the wall on the run, I will remember what George went through. He did it for 175 hours, I just have to do it for no more than 17.
• Leadership/character – I started out six months ago as a rider and pace setter for George, I ended up being one of the chief go to people when George really needed someone. I am not trying to pat myself on the back, but the number of comments I have received has been amazing. The same can be said about those who really didn’t stand up to help even though they believed they played an important part. There will be no names, but when George was struggling the stars really came out and I am glad to have been a part of those who stepped up.

Now the event is over, I ask myself what am I going to do with new found knowledge. I am not sure yet, but one early possibility is I will be a better person for experiencing this event. There are only a few times in a person’s lifetime where a person can actually say they are changed for the the better. I have been blessed with two within the last year.

1. Volunteering for the Ironman last year and watching the participants, especially the finishers will always be etched in my mind.
2. The Ride George Ride event. Yes, he didn’t get the record but the whole experience was so much more than just a record.

Now it is on to me. It sounds selfish but my journey has not finished. There is a huge event happening to me in 140 days. I think about it all the time, you can say I am to the point of obsession. Will I be an Ironman on September 12, 2010? You bet ya! The experiences I continue to be a part of, will help carry me through the rough patches.

The numbers continue to grow, the scary part is the real intense training does not start until I get back from vacation! So watch out starting late May.

Running totals:

Running miles treadmill: 206.10

Running hours treadmill: 31:15

Running miles outside: 91.90

Running hours outside: 14:00

Biking miles: 612.90

Biking hours: 33:40

Spinning hours: 7:00

Swimming laps (25 yard pool) : 2,422 lengths or 1,211 laps

Swimming distance: 63,550 yards or 36.1 miles

Swimming hours: 19:40

Weight lifting hours: 18:30

Stair Master miles: 77.97

Stair Master hours: 9:30

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 130 hours and 20 minutes