Why 140.6? And How it Begins.

Well, as I sit here at my desk on this sunny and chilly November day with 327 days to IM Chattanooga, I am pondering this very question. Not because I question my motivation to do it, but because I want to put the reasons on "paper".

Ironman Vineman 70.3 is now almost 4 months behind me and I look back on that race with pride and immense happiness. I followed my plan, trained hard and finished strong. I was strong. And I love that. I've never felt this strong in my entire life.

Tears of joy, hidden nicely behind my Oakleys.

I've read about countless other women, men, moms, ordinary and extraordinary people doing it and think simply, I can do that, too! I did 70.3, why not double it? I have the desire to test my body and see how far it can go. I don't want to break it down, I want to build it up.

I am taking this opportunity now in 2014 after serious thought and discussions with my family. While the kids are still young and their schedules aren't dictating our weekends is the perfect time. In a few years from now, our weekends will be filled with whatever activities they choose. And that is how it should be. So, this is the time. 2014 is the year I become an Ironman.

Sometimes I think I am fooling myself thinking that I can or should be doing this. Marathon training isn't appealing to me, but start with a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 mile bike ride and I'm in! WTF? Well, seriously, I don't want to just run. Cross training, friends. Swim/Bike/Run/Lift=Fun for me. Yes, lift. CrossFit is strength training and if I want to look like this (in my dreams, maybe)...



Miranda "Rinny" Carfrae at IM Florida (IM World Champion, 2013)

... and reap the benefits of being strong come race day, I must continue my work in the gym. That's where my 70.3 training started, so it makes sense that IM training does as well.

No, there are no box jumps or tire flips in the Ironman, but I will need a ton of strength, determination and mental toughness and that is built in the gym every time I walk through the door.

So, off-season training focuses on 2x per week at CFL, 2 days of running and one day on the bike. For now. It's still nice outside so I've been able to ride on the weekends. Soon, the bike will hit the trainer in the basement and I will shoot for at least an hour a few times per week. Netflix here I come. I will also start pool swimming once the weather turns cold and biking outside is no longer an option.

 

Ironman training will make me feel strong, hopeful, weak, hopeless and everything in between. There are a lot of miles between here and the finish line at Chattanooga, TN on September 28,2014.  I am excited for the journey!