This weekend marked what was supposed to be a big weekend for me. It was supposed to be the weekend that I completed my first Ironman. That was at least in my head when I signed up for it back in last July on the Monday after last year's race. Fast forward a year, I quit my job, get into Business School, and moved almost 400 miles away from my friends and family. January 2011 changed a lot of things in my life. It was the first time in ages that I didn't have a schedule to do anyting other than classes a few days a week. So there were nights out with classmates, and I fell back into my pre-running years bad habits. Before I knew it, I was nearly 20 lbs heavier than I was before I left for Rochester. My training for Ironman had slipped before I moved from Manhattan, but in Rochester, the very cold weather didn't help the issue.
I'd talked with John, my coach and expressed my concern. He expressed concern for what I would be able to do at Lake Placid in July, but we'd play it a little closer and figure where I really stood a few months later. Winter is winter, and things can def change and I have enough base with 2 of the 3 sports, so it was def doable. By the time that spring rolled around, I had lost a lot of that base, but still held the hope out that IMLP would still be in the picture. My training then went to sh*t and I decided to pull the plug. Fast forward to summer and I realize what I've done all winter and spring, and resolve to change everything.
The one good spot is that getting back on the horse made me realize a lot. I loved the feeling when I would have a great training day, and how it would fuel the rest of the week. Totally feeling that again.
This July, and especially the last 6 days in placid with some of my closest friends and training partners really has me motivated for the rest of my race season. But back to Placid. Friday morning I woke up seriously considering entering Ironman. Physically I could have a medal around my neck on sunday, but mentally I couldn't stomach spending that much time out on the course. My friends gave me shit about it, but I know that they understood. DNF is not something I would even think about, and if I was going to do this race, i was coming in as close to prepared as I could become, rather than just jump in for the swim. Yeah, I threw 600 bucks in the trash,
but oh well.
Through all this, it's been good to have a voice of reason (or sometimes the lack thereof) that I get from my close friends who I train with. Grant, Anna, Phil, Bobby, Dave, you guys love giving me shit, and I love it. It's also great to have a good coach and friend in John. Ironman will happen eventually, and I have no need to rush it. I used to live my life thinking I should have done this, or done that. I'll make the right choice when its the right time - it's as simple as that. Timberman is coming up in a little over 3 weeks, and I can not wait for it. It's also gonna be the first time one of my parents have seen me in a tri. Ely (the male human who I was cloned from) will be my sherpa in lovely New Hampshire for the day. It won't be the same not having any CREW there, but I'm sure everyone will be there in spirit. You guys don't know how much you make me work harder to get to that level. I didn't race this weekend, but I couldn't have wished for better people to spend time with (and sorry Guru, I stole this picture - its so good!). Can't wait to spend more time next year with these people up in Lake Placid!
