Am I Ready for This?!

The registration date for IM Coeur d'Alene is fast approaching (June 23rd) and I have to admit that I'm a bit nervous. I am having doubts about my ability to do this race, particularly doubts about my ability to commit to training this next year. My doubts probably have a lot to do with my lack of motivation to complete my training for this year's Pacific Crest Half Ironman race on June 28th.

If I am not training like I should now for my Half Ironman race, what will change in my attitude to get me to train for the Ironman? I am not sure, which is why I am a bit nervous.

Ironman training is serious and is something I cannot fake my way through or half-a**. I have to do it. I cannot wake up, see rain, and punk out of a 75+ mile bike ride. And this is where I am not sure I am ready.

There is a lot going on in my life. I'm working full-time, I'm in graduate school, and I'm going to take on a second job soon to pay down some debt. All of that is without adding 20+ hours a week for training, which is about what I will need to do to be in shape by June 2009.

And yet, I REALLY want to do this race. I really want to work toward this goal. I want to complete my first Ironman before I have to give up training to finish my degree.

And maybe that is it. This race is sort of my last hurrah before I have to put training aside to get serious about my schooling. I can always pick training back up once my counseling internships are done (I have to do 2 over 5 semesters, which will probably take about 2 years), but to wait 3 years to train for an Ironman seems torturous. Part of me feels like this is my last chance to do this race (before life happens). Why I feel that I cannot quite explain. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am single and this seems like the most ideal time to give so much of myself to a goal.

I guess I will keep moving forward, as I always do. I will leave it up to "whatever happens, happens." If I get a spot in the race, then I will give it my all (training and racing). If not, then I will wait to do this race after I graduate.

We shall see...

T Minus 48 Days and Counting...

Well in 48 days, 6 hours, and roughly 45 minutes, I will find out if I can do the 2009 Coeur d'Alene Ironman. Gosh, I am actually nervous and I have not even registered yet.

I have been searching for pictures of Coeur d'Alene to pump myself up about this monumental challenge I am setting for myself. This is going to be huge! This will be a life goal item checked off before I even turn 30! Ok, but I am way ahead of myself. I first have to get my registration in before the race sells out. Last year the online registration was open for at least 24 hours before it filled, so the hope is that this year it will be the same, but who knows! I won't know until I try to register bright and early on the 23rd of June.

T minus 48 days...