The Road to the Ironman – Why?

This morning was one of those mornings, 47 days until the big day felt like it might as well have been 47 years. My mood, better yet my brain just wasn’t let me do what I was suppose too, which was to enjoy my first run since my half-ironman. There is a saying in the Ironman circles that you win just by getting to the start line. That’s right not the finish line. I never anticipated the mind games that this goal would place on me. There are dents in my armor.

My mood, my outlook is intertwined to my running. I give you example. Swimming in the past week I swam 4,000 yards and 4,500 yards and nothing. On Sunday I rode 100 miles and nothing. Neither accomplishment made me happy or sad. This morning I ran 7 miles and it was a battle for all 7 and it leaves me asking WHY am I doing this? Boy I hate that feeling! I know it is all mental and it can switch on a dime by having a great run the next morning.

What has been getting is that I am doing this all alone. I swim alone, I bike alone and I run alone. Ironman training is lonely. I know I get support from family and friends but the actual training is wearing on me heavily. Only 47 days, if I get my running in line the mood will change for the better. Just getting to the starting line has proven a bigger challenge than I ever thought it could be. Racing the 140.6 miles on September 12 will be the icing on the cake. The question will be how will be mental state when I get there?

I guess time will tell…

Totals:

Running Miles: 624.30

Number of Hours: 94:30

New shoes: 119.40 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,563.90

Number of Hours: 91:30

Swimming Miles: 68.98 miles or 121,900 yards

Number of Hours: 28:45

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 4,708 lengths or 2,354 laps

Weightlifting hours: 25:35

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 255 hours and 00 minutes