Is it really the climb?
So here we are. Less than three weeks until the big day. It's been an awesome journey up to this point. I thought for sure the training would kill me worse than any marathon I have ever trained for. How could Ironman training actually feel better than marathon training? With all the extra hours needed and the non-stop planning out of every day. When you think about it - it's really amazing how you can shift, gradually of course, into this super human planning machine.
So - here we are. All the real training is done. The long rides are done. The long runs
are done. The long long long swims are done. Some might think I'm crazy for thinking the swims of 1.5 hours felt longer than the rides of 7 hours but they did. These pics were taken at LP training camp 2 weeks ago just as we arrived.
I am very happy with how all of my training has gone. I remember having a perfect marathon training season in which I only missed maybe 2 workouts. Some training seasons go better than others where you don't get sick, don't get injured, don't have any other obstacles to overcome. This is how my Ironman training has gone. I only missed maybe 2 workouts. The ones that I did miss were not key workouts. I was lucky this season in that regard. That makes me very happy.
So - I am thinking about this race and how I will feel once it's over. I am really not sure what I will do after IM. How will anything compare to this excitement? Being a first time Iroman (to be) has it's advantages. Everything is uncharted territory. You are constantly crossing over to new personal bests. You look up to others who have gone before you and think they are awesome because they have not only done 1 but 4 or 5 or more. As a first timer everything is fresh in your eyes. Does that all go down the tubes after the big day? Must I find another thrilling adventure to spark my interest?
I guess I'll have to find another - get ready for this cheesy remark - another mountain to move.
Happy training!
So - here we are. All the real training is done. The long rides are done. The long runs
are done. The long long long swims are done. Some might think I'm crazy for thinking the swims of 1.5 hours felt longer than the rides of 7 hours but they did. These pics were taken at LP training camp 2 weeks ago just as we arrived.
I am very happy with how all of my training has gone. I remember having a perfect marathon training season in which I only missed maybe 2 workouts. Some training seasons go better than others where you don't get sick, don't get injured, don't have any other obstacles to overcome. This is how my Ironman training has gone. I only missed maybe 2 workouts. The ones that I did miss were not key workouts. I was lucky this season in that regard. That makes me very happy.
So - I am thinking about this race and how I will feel once it's over. I am really not sure what I will do after IM. How will anything compare to this excitement? Being a first time Iroman (to be) has it's advantages. Everything is uncharted territory. You are constantly crossing over to new personal bests. You look up to others who have gone before you and think they are awesome because they have not only done 1 but 4 or 5 or more. As a first timer everything is fresh in your eyes. Does that all go down the tubes after the big day? Must I find another thrilling adventure to spark my interest?
I guess I'll have to find another - get ready for this cheesy remark - another mountain to move.
Happy training!
Comments
When I read the title of your blog I actually thought you were referring to the climb back to town in Lake a placid at camp when we kept trying to figure out if each hill was the last bear!
I can't wait to hear how the Ironman goes, the training and excitement will carry you through...until the next one! I'm sure KONA is in your future :) !