I thought I'd start my blog while I had a few minutes of free time because as of next Tuesday, January 5th 2010 I know free hours will be few and far between!
Next Tuesday is the official kickoff to my Ironman training season. I am going to be training with a team and a coach this year. "Coached" training is something I've always wanted and with a task as daunting as Ironman in front of me, what better time than now to do it right!
Why Ironman you may ask? I remember watching Ironman on TV with my dad many years ago. Being a swimmer from a very young age, I was intrigued from the beginning, watching the athletes dive in the open water for what would be the first leg, a 2.4 mile swim. From there they got out of the water to hop on their bikes for a 112 mile bike. "112 MILES!??" was my first thought, but I kept watching, hardly able to speak as I was just trying to imagine how I'd feel after swimming 2.4 miles, nonetheless having to immediately get on a bike for a 112 mile ride. My dad and I both kept watching in awe as these athletes then got off their bike, put on their running shoes, and headed out to run an entire marathon. I was familiar with the marathon, being from Duluth, the home of Grandma's Marathon. I've been there every year handing out water and/or cheering (and for the last four years, participating!) for all of those crazy people who thought it'd be a great idea when they woke up that morning to run 26.2 miles. We continued watching until the end; by then I was crying and in so much awe that such an event existed and amazement at the heart and strength of these athletes. I told my dad right then; "I am going to do Ironman someday." He being my biggest fan said; "I know you can do this and I know you will." That was all I needed to hear. I've had this goal for as long as I can remember (saying my whole life wouldn't be totally accurate as the sport of triathlon hasn't even been around my whole life) and I've found no reason to not do it now. I have talked the talk for years and this year I am finally going to walk the walk/the swim, bike, and run!
It may be somewhat ironic that my training will start on Jan. 5th 2010, when on Jan. 5th of 2008 I was attending my dad's funeral.
I am doing this for me, but a large part of me is doing this for him. To have to witness cancer rear its ugly head in my dad in Nov., then actually take his life in Dec., this is the least I can do. Life is too short to take it for granted. If you have unfulfilled dreams and goals, what is stopping you from going after them? I finally realized nothing was stopping me, except excuses maybe, so why haven't I followed through? I am not getting any younger! Giving up 10 months of my life training my body and mind to complete this task is nothing compared to the 7 week battle that my dad had to fight.
I am going to dive into this year with a passion and zest for life and although my dad cannot be standing directly beside me, he will be with me now and always, in any and all of my endeavors. When the going gets tough, I know I will just need to think of him and what he had to battle, to get me through my battles. With all of the qualities my dad instilled in me, I know I will be able to accomplish anything.
After all, it is only 140.6 miles in one day.
