Ironjourney

Late last November returning to Iowa from a conference in Scottsdale I ran into an Ironman finisher in the airport. It was the Tuesday following the 2008 Arizona Ironman and I had not realized the coincidence until I'd seen the paper Monday morning. He was wearing a jacket that said 'finisher' across the back. I wanted to touch it! I couldn't stop myself from approaching he and his wife and asking if this jacket were from his Ironman finish two days prior. I was green with envy- and regret that I hadn't known and made the effort to watch the event this year in person.

My journey begins! Actually it began nearly 26 years ago as I first was surrounded by triathletes and became intrigued by the idea of multisports participation. Still on my bucket list, it's time to let the journey begin. Registering for an Ironman seems the smallest step in the entire 2 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run yet it's the one that says "I'm in; here we go!"

Twelve months is an incredible long time away. The actual physical training doesn't get serious for another 6 months, but the mental idea that this is where I'm going starts now.

The advice is freeflowing; books, articles, IM finishers, and triathlon coaches all offer their two cents. I wonder how much of it to use and whether the coaching is necessary or simply an accountability peice for me, as many personal training clients likely wonder themselves before jumping in. In this case, because there is less a 'need for speed' and more need for base miles and consistency in this event I am contemplating the decision to hire a coach for the entire year or not. The sheer volume of training and building to the endurance that it will take physically are matched by the mental toughness that has to come first, middle, and last. No coach can help me with that.

There's a little intrepidation about how my body- knees, hips, shoulders, ankles and the rest will come through it but having regrets about having done something is better than regrets about not doing it- as long as its legal!


IF I'm able to register early Monday morning the 23rd, I'll take on a new identity- Ironman athlete-in-training!