IRONMAN...I'm Committed Now!

Ironman. 140.6,  Long course triathlon.  Call it what you want, but after deliberation, and my journey into triathlon I have taken the plunge and signed up for my first 140.6 Ironman.  On June 23, 2013 I will toe the start line in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.  I will do a two-loop swim totaling 2.4 miles in a cool (cold) lake.  I will complete a 2 lap 112 mile bike course with some hills, and finish the day by running a full marathon.  When I hit the button to confirm my entry I thought I was going to vomit. 

I had been eyeing and was pretty sure my first would be Ironman Texas.  However, they delayed registration for that event, and when Coeur D’Alene opened up, I considered that I have been to, and raced in Texas, but I’ve never been to Idaho.  The area is supposed to be very scenic, the event is well received by locals with lots of support.  So I made the decision partly because of all that, party because I didn’t want CDA to sell out, and Texas to get cancelled.  As it turns out, Texas registration is opening up Tuesday.  This gives me an extra month of prep time. 

At this point I am not setting any time goals.  It is too early in the process, and you cannot control factors like weather on race day.  All I know is I am going to do my best to train right, get in the best shape I can, and race my heart out on race day. 

It is almost a year away, but I already have my motel booked, and my training plan laid out.  Anal or prepared?   

I am committed now;  or should I be committed?

That is all for now.  I think I might need to vomit again.

Next up: Chula Vista Challenge August 12th

Then, Superfrog (half iron distance) September 30th.

2012 Update and Plans

Happy New Year! I have been negligent in writing a blog update for a while now, so here goes.

First, if you have been following you know my wife, Angi is battling breast cancer. She has completed two of six chemo treatments, and all things considered is doing pretty good. My observation of fighting cancer is that it is the ultimate endurance challenge, as it tests, and depletes the body as the fighter battles for a scheduled six month fight, and that is if all treatment goes as planned. That said I still have pink tape on my bikes.

A big thanks to Cyclewarrior, Moonkinrunning, and SugarMangnolia70[1] for joining me in rocking the pink bar tape.

Yesterday was the SD Randos 200K (124 miles). I signed up as usual, and rolled out at 7:00 AM. It started raining about 45 minutes in. I have ridden and completed many long rides in the rain. Several in far worse conditions than yesterday. I had an issue I could not work out though. I couldn’t see. Yes, I wear glasses, and they spot bad, they didn’t fog, but I just couldn’t adjust. Wiping them didn’t work. So, I DNF’d. I just didn’t feel safe. I can only remember one other time when I felt like that and just had to get off the bike. It was on a 600K two years ago, when exhaustion hit about 11:00 PM and I had a hard time keeping the bike rolling in a straight line. By the way, a note of apology to our RBA Dennis for not calling in my DNF, I had seen a couple of riders, so I made the wrong assumption that he would be notified, and I just didn’t think about it.

After getting home yesterday, and warming up, I was looking at my 2012 plans. I have three events that I am registered for as of right now. The Fiesta Island Time Trial on February 5th, Super Seal Olympic Distance Tri on March 18th, and Super Frog 70.3 Tri on September 30th. I think I am running the Rock and Roll half marathon for Angi as well.

I have three double centuries on my schedule, but I haven’t registered yet. And I’m thinking seriously of dropping them from my plans this year. We are four weeks from the kick off double, El Camino Real, and I am not looking forward or excited for it. I am excited and looking for triathlons. The more I think about it, the more I think 2012 might be dedicated to triathlon.

So, fellow enthusiasts, what do you think? More triathlons? Will I be sorry if I skip a season of double centuries? Please feel free to opine in the comments.




[1] Used Twitter names for privacy.