The Journey Begins Today!

I figured I would experiment with this blog thing that seems to be the trendy thing to do. This will also help me remember the year and the preparation for this event.

My journey towards completing an ironman triathlon began today (sort of)....I've actually been working towards it for the past 2 years. I registered today for Ironman Florida which will take place on Nov. 1, 2008......yes, that is right, 1 year in advance. The race sold out online within minutes so I had to be ready and a good thing I had a hunch it would open early because it did and I got in.

It was only 3 years ago when I began to run. I was eating my way to 260 pounds and not feeling like an athlete anymore. I still remember when I jumped in to run a few miles with a friend in the NYC marathon in 2004. I didn't train at all so I didn't know what to expect. I thought I might be able to run 5-10 miles......15 miles later, I was in pain but it was at that moment that I realized I could indeed run a marathon if I trained. And the exhilaration of running in the NYC marathon was unbelievable. I signed up for my first marathon in January of 2005 to run in the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon in June 2005. I lost about 20 pounds and finished it under 5 hours which was my goal.....I finished a marathon....wow, that was a huge accomplishment for me because I never expected that I could do it.

Running that first marathon and overcoming the feeling of self-doubt was a big step in the new me......no problem.....what else can I do that I didn't think I could?

I was getting a little bored with just running so a triathlon was my next goal. I know I can run and I know I can ride a bike, but swim in the open water....oh boy....not so sure about that.

After some swimming lessons and my ultimate savior (my wetsuit) I completed my first triathlon in the summer of 2005. I became addicted. I raced in another 4 triathlons and the NYC marathon later that fall.

I was tempted by a few friends later in the year to enter an ironman the following April in New Zealand. I didn't feel like I was ready. I didn't have a coach and my swimming wasn't ready yet. I even had a sponsor that was going to pay for my trip. I passed. It was a good thing that I didn't race because that was the year they canceled the swim leg because the conditions were too rough and they cut the bike and run in half. That would have been a piece of cake to do but I wouldn't have been able to say that I completed an Ironman.

2006 was another year of getting more experience. I attempted my first half ironman and was humbled by the experience. It kicked my butt but I finished. I didn't prepare enough. I entered another half ironman later in the year and experienced a similar result (but I did crash too).

I really believed that I had a lot more potential so I hired a coach for 2007. I improved my half ironman times by an hour and had 2 great races. My plan was to spend a week in Lake Placid training, volunteering, and watching friends race. I would then sign up for the Lake Placid Ironman in 2008. After training on the course, it kicked my butt and I didn't enjoy the course at all. Don't get my wrong....the course is beautiful and amazing but I don't think the course suits my racing style very well. I have a disadvantage on a hilly course because I am a larger racers. Flatter courses suit me better. I called my coach the day before registration and told him I wasn't sure about racing Lake Placid......he was very supportive and said he didn't like it either. He encouraged me to sign up for Florida so here it is. I have thought about this race from that moment in July and now I'm registered. Let the preparation begin.