Weeks 31 and 32 of Ironman training – I know why

These past two weeks were the peak of my training effort, they included multiple 100+ mile bike rides and a couple of 18+ mile runs…I’m tried just writing it.  The best part about the last two weeks is that they are behind me and now it’s time to taper.  Tapering is reducing the workload as to allow your body to recover and get strong before the big race.  Tapering, as I need to keep reminding myself, doesn't mean I get to slack off until race day so I still have a little work to do over these last 3 weeks. 

My very first blog entry back in January of this past year was titled ‘Why the Hell’ as to mean why the hell am I doing this?  I’m not sure there is one clear cut answer as to why I’m doing it but I certainly can speak to one central source of motivation that has come to light over the past nine months, and that’s my wife Jessica.  Before you roll your eyes and think ‘sappy’, just hear me out.  At a time in her life when the spot light should shine solely on her and the baby she is carrying, she deflects the attention to me and my challenge.  She has heard me complain about being sore and tired, rather than firing back about the human she is carrying around with her, she offers a back rub.  She comes home from a long day at work, entirely on her feet, and cooks me a healthy meal with love.  She never complained when I went to bed at 8pm each night for the past 9 months, instead she prepared coffee (which she doesn't drink) and my lunch for the next day.  She wrote out 100 index cards with motivational sayings on each and places one on my dresser every morning.  She didn't complain when I was buying new clothes for training while she was trying to avoid having to purchase maternity clothes that would make her more comfortable.  Rather than being consumed with any baby showers she spent her efforts organizing who would be staying at our house on race weekend.  Simply stated she has not once, not for a single second, complained about all the attention getting paid to this Ironman challenge.  I know she will put as much effort and dedication into being a Mom as she has in getting me prepared for the Ironman and she’ll be one of the best ever for it.  She is my motivation, she is who I want to share the finish line with, she is my greatest fan, and I am hers. 

Weeks 29 & 30 of Ironman training – Doubt

Two more weeks closer to Sept 7th and the big day; just trying to hang on.  I'm currently in the midst of my peak training schedule which includes days filled with 6 hour bike rides and 3 hour runs, followed by eating, sleeping, and then repeating.  This week and next I'm told can be more difficult than the Ironman race itself in that I'll be tested mentally to keep up with the pace and monotony of the training schedule.  Jess is really earning her stripes lately by keeping me feed, being patient with my lack of help around the house, allowing me to complain as well as sleeping and resting on my off days.  For being 7+ months pregnant in the hot summer months she is a blessing and tremendous asset to me and this goal…I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to repay her (although somehow I suspect she’ll provide a few ideas of how I could try).

So this past weekend brought to town 100’s of athletes in the peak of their training schedules do participate in an organized training event Thursday through Sunday.  Some athletes rode most of the bike course (105 miles), Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and then ran nearly 20 miles on Sunday.  I did not participate to the extent that some of the others did; my body simply could not take that much without breaking down.  Needless to say when you see your ‘peers’ performing to this level and you’re not it allows some doubt to start creeping into your head.  I’m told that this is not the last time that doubt will try to knock me off course.  I’m told the doubt will attempt several times on race day to derail my goal, it will tell me the swim is too crowded, the bike is too hilly, and there’s just no way to run the entire 26.2 miles all in 17 hours. 

Fortunately for me I have been preparing for the doubt, I knew it was coming and actually for a while I thought it would pass me by.  It’s here, I’ll swat it away this next week as I get back into my peak training schedule but I know it will be back again soon.  I’m excited for the challenge because I know the support that I have in place won’t allow the doubt to win.  My wife, family, friends and fellow Ironmen-in-training won’t let anything get in my way of becoming an Ironman and for that I thank you all!