The Road to the Ironman – I can see the starting line!

Looking at my totals and how the are growing I think back to the day I signed up for the big race. September 14, 2009 seems so far away and now it is only 60 days until I do my first Ironman! That phrase still sends chills up and down my spine. I am going to be an Ironman! I have had my shares of ups and downs along this journey, I am glad the there have been more ups than downs and I am sure the next 60 days will prove to be the most challenging yet. Going into this my thoughts were this race is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. What has happened is that I have changed my opinion. The training up to an Ironman is the hardest thing I have ever done. Don’t get me wrong there will be plenty of pain and misery on the day, but what the race is to me is the cherry on top of the sundae. I get on myself for not being the fastest, seeing all my Internet triathlete friends stating what their times are for the swim, bike and run. But I have to remember one thing, I am doing this for myself! Selfish? Maybe. I can’t worry about anyone else, this time it is for me. If/when I consider doing another one of these I then can look back and fine tune things that will make me go faster.

So, Toni this one is for you if you are reading this. As you train for your marathon, these are the toughest days. Even though you make think an Ironman is a harder event than a marathon, it is not. It is different for each person. I marvel on how some people make racing in an Ironman look so easy. I too do the same for those who run marathons. But this Chicago Marathon is all about you. You are doing great and you are stronger than you think. Don’t worry about your time, this is your first. If you choose to do another (most do by the way) that is the time to figure out if you can improve. Enjoy the accomplishment! Not only because you were able to finish 26.2 miles, but for all the hard work and dedication shown just to get to the starting line.  These are the dog days in our training, it is hot, it is humid, we have been training for what seems like forever but our starting lines are quickly approaching. Show that wonderful smile that you have and enjoy something that so few on this planet even have the courage to do!

I am living proof how one can go from a funk to feeling proud and confident in less than a week. I am sure in the next 60 days I will go through this cycle a few more times and that is when I need you and all my other friends and family to help pull me through. I will be there for you and please you be there for me.

Totals:

Running Miles: 599.82

Number of Hours: 89:46

New shoes: 93 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,367.70

Number of Hours: 84:00

Swimming Miles: 62.95 miles or 110,800 yards

Number of Hours: 25:30

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 4,278 lengths or 2,139 laps

Weightlifting hours: 25:35

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 235 hours and 10 minutes