I’ve been putting this off for over a month now. I didn’t do a blog last year and debated doing one this year as well. However, I decided in order to meet my (lofty) goals this year, I needed to do it. For various reasons, both known and unknown, I found that holding myself accountable for training last year was tough. As a result, I slogged through three 70.3 races and dodged Ironman Maryland due to a hurricane. Two of the three 70.3’s were pretty painful. I’m really too dumb to know when to stop or quit… both a curse and a blessing.
Ironman training is difficult enough, but I’m sure as others will attest, training for a 140.6 mile race without a training partner, a coach, or a team can be even more challenging. This is especially true in the accountability department. It doesn’t take much to talk myself out of a five hour ride, in lieu of sleeping in or a nice glass <or two> of wine.
So why not get a training partner, a coach, or join a team? Good question, I’m glad you asked. I’m all about training partners. I do rides and runs with some phenomenal folks who really keep me going and help me push myself. However, finding another crazy person to do the amount of training required for an Ironman is another thing entirely. That being said, I’m ecstatic every week I get to run or ride with my training buddies. As far as coaches go, I guess I’m not ready, to get that serious. Maybe when I think I have a shot at a Kona slot (Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii), but until then I’m going to save my money. As far as tri teams go, I think they can be great. However, I don’t think a team is right for me, at least right now. I’ve found that many of those folks, who are great people, just take it wayyy to serious. I probably talk about tri stuff more than I should/want right now; so adding an entire social network devoted to triathlons would be too much.
So… what does that leave? I guess “blogging” (I hate that word) to the few folks that entertain me by reading what I’ve written. I seriously dread having to record missed workouts and bad dietary choices, especially if others are going to read it. Avoiding the dread of admitting to my “bad days” helps me stay on track, which in the long run will help me accomplish my goals. I know there will be set backs, but that’s what life is about. Nobody is perfect, but staying the course and being accountable helps one make it through, no matter what the challenge.
This year I’ve signed up for three major races, two half Ironman distance races and one full. It’s going to be an exciting year of racing and I’m looking forward to it. To get the season started off right, I’m doing Eagleman 70.3 in Cambridge, MD. Following that, I’m super stoked about racing with my brother again, this time at the Superfrog 70.3 in San Diego, CA. Superfrog will be my ‘A Race’ this year and hope to smoke my previous personal record (PR) of 6:15 at Ironman Texas 70.3, by finishing under 5:15. Dare I say sub five hours? I’ve got lots of work to do either way. Finally, a month later I’ll be doing Ironman North Carolina (formerly Beach to Battleship) with some old Ranger buddies. This is the full meal deal, 140.6 miles, and I can’t wait to feel the pain with some old friends.
I’m going to wrap it up here. I just wanted to get some thoughts on paper, get some folks in my corner, and get this year of racing kicked off. I look forward to hearing your comments, your cheers, your jeers… and of course the ball busting. More to follow...
Cheers,
Scott
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