I am starting this blog as a way to chronicle my potentially epic journey to complete my very first Ironman Triathlon race.
The goal
2009 Coeur d'Alene Ironman.
The Plan
At this point, it is to register for the race. The 2008 race is this June. Registration will open online the day after the race. I have to have about $500 to register, and I need to be online as soon as the registration opens. Then it will be about a years worth of endurance training. I still have not solidified what my training plan will consist of (that and I need to create a good nutrition plan as well - there is much prep work and research to be done yet).
The Potential Obstacles
As if training for an Ironman is not enough of an obstacle, of course there are other significant factors that could stand in my way.
1. I am in graduate school and work full time, so I will need to fit 20+ hours of training per week along with these other two activities.
2. I do not have $500 saved in my bank account. There are several hopes here. The first is that I will get my stimulus check before June and that it will be close to enough to cover the race entry fee. If this fails, then I have a family member that has offered to sponsor me. This obstacle may not be as impossible as I think.
3. Online registration! If it fills before I can sign up and get a spot, then I will not be doing an Ironman Race in 2009.
What is an Ironman Triathlon?
An Ironman (IM) is an endurance race composed of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. During each leg of the race, there are time cutoff markers to beat in order to keep racing. The final cutoff is midnight. If you do not cross the line before midnight, then you do not get a finisher's medal and you are not technically an Ironman. Pretty brutal. Many hearts have been broken and dreams have been smashed on IM race courses.
So Why IM Coeur d'Alene?
Great question! I have run into several IM triathletes that have mentioned that they love this race, which has only served as a "sign" that this is what I should do. Also, there are not many official IM races. Coeur d'Alene is the closest one to Portland. That and I went to school in Spokane, WA, which is not far from Coeur d'Alene. The area has significance and sentimentality for me.
Why set this goal?
I have been doing triathlons for several years now (this is my 3rd season to be exact), and I love these races! The IM distance is the sort of Mecca race for triathletes. That and I think I am built for more longer endurance events. I am not fast. Instead, I am slow and steady. Just last year I completed my first half ironman race, which is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run. I found that I loved the longer distance training verses the shorter distance speed training.
My hopes are that by blogging about this journey, I will be able to share a piece of what I learn about myself and about training/racing. My hope is to encourage others to live boldly and to pursue their dreams. I guess first things first, I've got to get registered.
Until next time...
Carpe Diem!
