The Road to the Ironman – 50 miles is a long way

Today is May 22, 2010. Today is a day that when I look back at this Ironman journey and smile, no in fact I might just chuckle. But today 50 miles seemed like 112 miles, in fact it seemed like 1,000 miles. So on September 13, 2010 the day after the Ironman, when I start to look over these Ironman posts I will come across this post and think “Did I really think 50 miles was such a far way?”

Let me clarify something, this is not a panic post, just a WOW I still have a lot of work to do post.

I can see I am really going to enjoy these Saturday and Sunday morning rides because there are so many other riders out there. Some single riders like me, then there are some big groups all dressed up in their cycling attire hammering with many in between. When I wave, most wave back, in fact I come across some fellow runners passing them a wave. One bit of advice runners (being one myself,) just because you are wearing ear buds in the ears does not excuse you from being polite and giving a wave, a smile or even a “Morning” back to those exercising around you. I am not giving cyclists a break either, just because you are whizzing by me going 30 mph does not give you a right to ignore others. Then again those people are few and far between.

Right now I am enjoying riding by myself, because I am simply not able to keep up with those I like to cycle with. I find myself a bit behind on time in the saddle but that will soon be fixed and look forward to some group riding in the not too distant future. Riding with others will allow me to be humbled by those better than me, learn, and get better.

As I wake up on Sunday, I will hop back on my bike and head out for another 50 or so. Traffic should be light, it should be fairly warm in the morning and hopefully I will get most of the ride in before the wind kicks up.

So if you add up Saturday’s and Sunday’s ride it will be in the 100 mile area. Do you realize that will still be 12 miles short of the Ironman distance?!?! Man I still have a lot of work to do.

Running totals:

Running miles treadmill: 206.10

Running hours treadmill: 31:15

Running miles outside: 148.40

Running hours outside: 23:42

Biking miles: 768.40

Biking hours: 40:30

Spinning hours: 7:00

Swimming laps (25 yard pool) : 3,022 lengths or 1,511 laps

Swimming distance: 78,550 yards or 44.6 miles

Swimming hours: 16:30

Weight lifting hours: 20:30

Stair Master miles: 86.22

Stair Master hours: 10:50

Stairs in Cancun 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 157 hours and 20 minutes