The beginning....
It all started this past May when I headed to Panama City to support a few friends in their first 1/2 Ironman one Saturday. I have never seen such an exhibition of athleticism in my life nor have I been so inspired to set a new goal for myself! So after watching Jules aka super Mom to 3 boys, uber professional -- own her first 1/2 Ironman while making it look entirely too easy -- I've decided to set a goal for myself and see if I can tuck a few more sprint tris under my belt and work my way up to an Olympic length and perhaps see if I can wind up not just attending the Gulf Coast 1/2 as a spectator next year...We'll see.
So a 1/2 Iron means the athletes do 70.3 miles total -- I'm telling you I was watching the race and thinking the mental toughness and of course athleticism was staggering! (Not to mention it's Florida in May with global warming in full-effect and a completely open course -- not a stitch of shade!)
I was so inspired as I walked back to my car to drive home I made a decision...I wanted to BE one of those athletes next May! So the goal I've set for myself initially in addition to doing some more sprints triathlons is 70.3 miles a week. I figure if the Gulf Coast participants can do it in one day my big ole' bootie can get out there and attempt to clock those miles in a week, right???!!! So in honor of the inspiration and drive Jules and the other triathletes have provided me...So far...
Day 1 (Sunday, May 10, 2009)
Woke up despite a very long Saturday and headed out for a bike ride. My mantra was that I was going to go further than before with a goal of hitting double digits. It was slightly overcast which was good b/c I had a bit of a sunburn from being in PC and in the sun all day the day before! Unfortunately this mean I forgot my shades which wasn't good b/c I forgot that things somehow seem to fly directly into my eyes while riding and at 20 mph that huuuurts! While I realized this in mile 1 I was feeling too focused to turn back and get them!
I ended up clocking 20 miles but I have to admit about mile 15 or so my ass was really over the bike seat and I started to hit a wall. I powered through partially b/c I had no other way to get back to the car if I didn't!! I was glad to be done and wondered how sore I would be Monday...20 miles down -- 50.3 to go!
Day 2 (Monday, May 11, 2009)
I was tired by the end of the day today and wasn't sure how much I would have the energy to do but thankfully I had to meet my training partner at the gym to lift and got some additional motivation from a few Facebook friends I felt like I had to stick to the plan. Kevin -- a former training buddy from DC says I have to have the remaining 50 done by Friday...military men!!! Nonetheless I hauled my cookies to the gym and clocked 3 miles of cardio and another mile in the pool. 4 more miles down...46.3 to go. Ugh!!! 50 by Friday really???
It all started this past May when I headed to Panama City to support a few friends in their first 1/2 Ironman one Saturday. I have never seen such an exhibition of athleticism in my life nor have I been so inspired to set a new goal for myself! So after watching Jules aka super Mom to 3 boys, uber professional -- own her first 1/2 Ironman while making it look entirely too easy -- I've decided to set a goal for myself and see if I can tuck a few more sprint tris under my belt and work my way up to an Olympic length and perhaps see if I can wind up not just attending the Gulf Coast 1/2 as a spectator next year...We'll see.
So a 1/2 Iron means the athletes do 70.3 miles total -- I'm telling you I was watching the race and thinking the mental toughness and of course athleticism was staggering! (Not to mention it's Florida in May with global warming in full-effect and a completely open course -- not a stitch of shade!)
I was so inspired as I walked back to my car to drive home I made a decision...I wanted to BE one of those athletes next May! So the goal I've set for myself initially in addition to doing some more sprints triathlons is 70.3 miles a week. I figure if the Gulf Coast participants can do it in one day my big ole' bootie can get out there and attempt to clock those miles in a week, right???!!! So in honor of the inspiration and drive Jules and the other triathletes have provided me...So far...
Day 1 (Sunday, May 10, 2009)
Woke up despite a very long Saturday and headed out for a bike ride. My mantra was that I was going to go further than before with a goal of hitting double digits. It was slightly overcast which was good b/c I had a bit of a sunburn from being in PC and in the sun all day the day before! Unfortunately this mean I forgot my shades which wasn't good b/c I forgot that things somehow seem to fly directly into my eyes while riding and at 20 mph that huuuurts! While I realized this in mile 1 I was feeling too focused to turn back and get them!
I ended up clocking 20 miles but I have to admit about mile 15 or so my ass was really over the bike seat and I started to hit a wall. I powered through partially b/c I had no other way to get back to the car if I didn't!! I was glad to be done and wondered how sore I would be Monday...20 miles down -- 50.3 to go!
Day 2 (Monday, May 11, 2009)
I was tired by the end of the day today and wasn't sure how much I would have the energy to do but thankfully I had to meet my training partner at the gym to lift and got some additional motivation from a few Facebook friends I felt like I had to stick to the plan. Kevin -- a former training buddy from DC says I have to have the remaining 50 done by Friday...military men!!! Nonetheless I hauled my cookies to the gym and clocked 3 miles of cardio and another mile in the pool. 4 more miles down...46.3 to go. Ugh!!! 50 by Friday really???
My first tri! Red Hills 2007.
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