Onward and Upward!

Did you notice?

At the foot of my blog.

There is a new counter.

One for Ironman Florida.

Seriously, right now, I'm feeling optimistic about IMFL. Eagleman went better than I hoped. Though I was quite tired after the race, I finished feeling like I had some "reserves" left. The soreness was gone within just a day or so - and after a week and half of modified workouts, I am looking forward to getting back to longer training sessions - like this weekend's 50 mile bike and 3 mile run. Even most of my race photos show a comfortable, happy participant.

Several of my Maramarc friends and training buddies (well, they were always way ahead of me during any workout, so I am not sure I can say we actually "trained" together) are doing Ironman Coeur d'Alene this weekend. My Eagleman high has been extended by an excitement for them - and looking forward to watching their progress online. They will do great and I can't wait to hear all the details.

So for now, I am going to enjoy this great feeling. Before the workouts begin dominating my life and challenge my spirits. Before November 3rd starts looking much closer on my calendar.

Any bets as to when I'll start panicking?

Numbers

When I added the Eagleman counter feature to my blog footer, the race was over 2 months away. Lately I’ve been avoiding looking at the happy stars bounding off the pink background. Right now it shows that the race is 1 month, 0 days, 14 hours, 30 minutes and 55 seconds away. Tomorrow the countdown will show a big fat 0 in the month slot.

Maybe I should switch it out for a new counter for Ironman – which is still about 6 months away. But I am not sure how much I want to I think about those numbers just yet. I recently watched a triathlon movie clip where the narrator mentioned that the 112 mile bike would seem long – in a car.

Wow, I’d never thought about that. I am going to be biking a distance that would take almost 2 hours by car.

Training and races involve many numbers - miles, meters, minutes, hours, ranks, averages, paces.

Numbers can be encouraging. The more I’ve thought about my SML swim time, the more I’ve realized I’ve made some gains through all this training. My last 750 open water swim race time was over 4 minutes longer – and that was without a wetsuit and with the timing mat right on the dock when stepping out of the water.

Other times, numbers can be humbling. In my first triathlon I finished dead last in my age group.

And sometimes, numbers can be downright confusing. Up until this weekend, I’ve been timing my mile swim based on 36 laps in the pool. Which is correct for yard pools. But, I’ve been swimming in meter pools – where 32 laps equal a mile. Doh, makes total sense now that I’ve thought through the math. At least I didn’t make that mistake the other way around.

So while I am excited for the Shady Grove Sprint race coming up in a little over 3 weeks, I know when it gets here, Eagleman will be just 7 days away.

And now, not that I am obsessing, there is 1 month, 0 days, 14 hours, 22 minutes and 11 seconds till the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 (thanks Fave!) mile run. Numbers that get scarier by the minute.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

Moving Into a New Age Group

Today TRIgirl 40 officially moves into the 40-44 age group.

It has been a whirlwind of birthday festivities - already spanning several weeks – starting with fun and fabulous visits from my family. This past weekend, several friends gave me a wonderful party – I am so fortunate to have such generous and terrific friends. They even pulled together a list of 40 great moments we’ve shared over the years. So many memories that made me smile - and laugh out loud. The hubby has also been very sweet and thoughtful – helping with the party and finding lots of ways to make this birthday special.

Reading through the cards, receiving such thoughtful gifts, I know I am the lucky recipient of lots of unconditional love - the people whom I care about and who care about me - accept me - faults and all.

Once in awhile, I’m still taken aback by turning 40. The number can seem…well…big, up there…or yikes – middle age. But, for the most part, I’m comfortable with this milestone birthday. I’m surrounded by caring family and friends. My career path has been diverse and rewarding. I’m healthy. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. Life is good - no, wait - life is awesome.

This birthday celebration may just make the record books for being the longest ever, culminating in Panama City this November. Ironman Florida has been a huge present to myself - between all the equipment purchases and “me” training time demands. And having my husband, family and friends coming to the race is the gift I wanted most this year.

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

A few TRIgirl members and coaches have been sharing several Ironman video clips available on the internet.

Coach B. found this one – a slick little movie – definitely conveys the excitement and energy of the race. Plus there is the glimpse of a pink bike:
http://www.nasports.com/mediacenter/index.php

TRIgirl CD spent some time online and uncovered the following on YouTube – which, as she noted, “Not only does it show some of the details about registration, race packets, hotel setup, etc. for Ironman Florida, it's also REALLY inspiring because it shows three women -- all of whom seem to be able to relate to those of us who may be in the category of ‘first-timer,’ ‘might have to walk it’ or ‘love to breaststroke!’”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QAPuXx2-DA

Finally, a few months back, right before finalizing my decision to register for IMFL, Coach G sent out a clip about Team Hoyt. Their story reminded me that there are far greater challenges out there than my own – and that with the right motivation and determination, people like the Hoyts overcome the impossible to inspire us all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPSUrR3ipQc&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D52rJd9GX10&NR

The Decision

Back to the blog’s purpose. Ironman Florida.

For me, this was a personal decision, though the encouragement from my triathlon training group (TriGirls!) coaches and support of my husband definitely helped. But in the long run (no pun intended), I had to consider whether, as Coach G. remarked, only I would know if this was the right time, or, as she countered, would I really want to wait another year? I had to be ready to commit a nice chunk of change and quite a bit of my free time (which means figuring out how to fit in training hours with what can be a crazy work schedule and already limited opportunities for free time, family, my furkid, friends, and my other favorite hobby – wine (OK, I always seem to fit that one in)).

I’d already signed up for a half IM next year – and boy it would have been nice to have that race under my belt - but IMs fill up a year in advance. It was either now or two years from now at the earliest.

So, why did I find myself, sitting anxiously at my computer on November 5th, between calls to and from other TriGirls, panicking about whether I would be able to submit my registration online before it filled up?

• Because I turn 40 next year.
• Because Coach S. has offered to treat us all for post race IM tattoos (pink, of course).
• Because I am in TriGirls, an awesome women’s triathlon training group that has helped me believe this is a possible dream.
• Because I’ve seen the exuberance of friends, colleagues and my training coaches who have completed IMs.
• Because I’ve been fascinated about Ironman races since I first saw one on TV and made it a lifetime goal to finish a triathlon (thinking sprint distance at the time).
• Because I was that chubby girl who was excused occasionally from gym class because I had asthma.
• Because I went from finishing last in my age group at my first triathlon race, to finishing in the top 50% at my latest race.
• Because IMFL is a flat and fast course. I am not a fan of steep hills (especially because I’m still getting used to clipless pedals).
• Because I am grateful to have a healthy and strong body – look at the obstacles that many Ironmen competitors have overcome – cancer, amputations, lung replacements – and of course the ever inspiring Team Hoyt stories. There are a few pretty inspiring stories from TriGirls, too.
• Because it will be the biggest challenge I have ever chosen to undertake.

Side note: All but one of the interested TriGirls and coaches were able to sign-up online for IMFL on November 5th. The only person whose submit button took too long was Coach G., which just seems so unfair. We’re all looking into options to make sure she is on the course with us next year.