What's Next?

Though I haven’t experienced any of the “blues” that I’ve heard can hit people after finishing an Ironman – coming back to this blog has been a little weird.

The “Journey to Ironman” title didn’t seem right anymore. Nor did my profile. The training details were the workouts that got me to IMFL. All the 2007 races were over.

So I made a few quick changes and will be working on other blog updates over the next few weeks. Maybe it is time to waken my limited creative juices during this off season. Design a custom new banner. Play with a few new sections.

Alas, a new 2008 race schedule is needed. The biggies I am most excited about are White Lake Half (with many TRIgirls), 4.4 Chesapeake Swim (after a nerve wracking few days of waiting for my lottery ticket to win!) – and probably MightyMan (an extra bonus will be if my brother, sister-in-law and their close friend, Mundy, sign-up as a relay (hint, hint)). I am guessing there will be a few other races – like the Monument 10K and possibly the Shady Grove or Sandman Sprints.

There will be no IM listed. I couldn’t bring myself to register for IMFL 2008 before I knew what would happen this year. A few TRIgirls worked hard to convince me IM Brazil should be on my schedule – but May seemed too soon. The biggest temptation was the new November 2008 IMAZ that opened up this week. But, after much thought, it just didn’t seem right – I need to give my family – and my wallet – a break. I’ll most likely be going this year – but it will be as a volunteer.

And IMAZ 2009 is looking really good. The new date fits nicely for training. My parents, who’ve become big IM cheerleaders, said they would go. A close friend is moving to Phoenix in January – so I’ll have the perfect excuse to justify a few visits.

My journey to my first Ironman is complete. And between the energy surge from finishing an IM and the promise of new challenges, I believe a few pretty, flippin' (love that word, TRIgirl CD) amazing, new experiences may lay beyond.

A Little Melancholy

Though I guess the official start to this journey to Ironman began last November, I've been wondering lately if the "twinkle in the eye" happened about a year ago, last September, when I signed up for Eagleman.

A lot has happened in the past eleven months. I've learned to not only swim in a wetsuit, but to also like it. I completed two half marathons. I've swum, biked and run the longest distances in my life. And, of course, I finished Eagleman!

This year, the Eagleman registration opened a month earlier - on August 1. With a little melancholy, I've observed the excitement of others as they have signed up for the race. My name will not be on the participant list.

As of now, I'm planning on two half IMs next year - White Lake and Mightyman. Then, if I survive Florida, maybe another IM in 2009 (I'm thinking somewhere very far away with amazing Sauvignon Blanc...).

Eagleman 2007 will always hold a special place in my heart - the excitement and trepidation after hitting the registration submit button, the fear and panic race morning, the happiness and satisfaction of crossing the finish line, and all the hard work in between.

So Tempting!

I was just paging through the Triathlon Life magazine that arrived the other day and I what did I find?

Mightyman!

A Half-Ironman back "home" and through the beautiful, picturesque Montauk.

Close to family and friends who I could either try to tempt to race with me or who may travel just a couple of hours to be cheerleaders.

Problem 1 - Naylor's Beach is on my calendar for that day. I was actually looking forward to doing Naylor's again - between hoping for some improvements, the new September date and racing with other TRIgirls. I haven't registered yet, so depending on Problems 2 and 3...

Problem 2 - I'm doing the Patriot Half three weeks earlier. Will I have recovered enough? Then again, we are not tapering for the Patriot in preparation for IMFL - so I doubt I'll be resting much after.

Problem 3 - Which race would be better for IMFL training - an Olympic or another half???

Problem 4 - If I do Mightyman, there won't be an Olympic distance race on my calendar. Therefore, no fourth TRIgirl pint glass to add to my collection.

The decision rests in the hands of my coaches - based upon their recommendation of which would be better for IMFL training.

If not this year, Mightyman (and maybe some other LI Event Power races) WILL be on next year's schedule! And you betcha I'll be trying to convince my triathlon friends to join me!

Changes to My Race Calendar

My credit card saw some action this weekend as I registered for several races.

After some debate, I'm in for the Shamrock and Roll 8K the weekend of St. Patrick's Day. Coaches G and M had figured out a way to fit the half marathon into the full and half ironman training progams. But after some discussion - and even a little back and forth between the coaches, I'll still be doing the 8K. Right now, working on increasing the miles at a pace closer to my tempo pace is a bigger challenge than running 13 miles - so I'm aiming for a sub 10 minute/mile as my goal for the race.

TRIgirl Devil Face and I were orginally going to skip the Shamrock, until another TRIgirl offered us a place to stay (there tends to be a three night minimum at most hotels for the race - and it seemed like quite an expensive hassle to participate in an 8K). So, we concocted the idea for a local alternative - fun (emphasis on fun) St. Patty's run. We're still planning on coordinating this race - with festive beverage stops along the way - but it will probably be the weekend before or after the Shamrock.

Soon after the Shamrock (and the *hiccup* fun run), TRIgirls will be participating in teams for the Monument 10K. I guess that will be another chance to try and hit the sub 10 minute goal - but I'll see how the 8K goes before setting this objective in stone. There are about five teams of five TRIgirls each - so there will be lots of pink charging down Monument Avenue this year. We are also looking for ways to raise donations for the Massey Cancer Center as part of our committment to the race.

The last charge on my credit card for the weekend was for the Smith Mountain Lake Sprint triathlon - a recent addition to the race schedule - but a good one - as it gives us another opportunity for an open water swim.

There is one more race I may throw on the card before the work week begins - the Shady Grove Sprint - but I'm waiting to hear back from Coach G to see if it fits into our taper as it is scheduled for the weekend before Eagleman. Keeping my fingers crossed since I like this race because it is less than 10 miles from my house - and I'm curious if all the training this year will help improve my times from 2006.

Better go update all my calendars!