how great i am

within a week, i have had two people, one an avid cyclist/bike shop owner, and the other a swimming coach/ironman finisher give me that 'look' when i told them...1. i have never competed in a triathlon event, and, 2. i am signed up and in training for ironman 70.3 in june.  their head cocks and without saying a word i understand what they are trying to convey: 'are you serious?'

some people may feel hurt or discouraged by this lack of optimism.  but i love it.  i see it as an opportunity to change their mind.  do you think i haven't realized that i don't own a bike?  do you think i haven't realized that i have never competitively swam before?  so, before you are willing to judge or dismiss me, understand that you don't know my heart.  you don't my will.  and you don't know where i've been and what i had to do to get here.

 just like what i have done over these past years to pull myself back up and to stand tall,  pay attention and watch what i can do.  there are two types of people in this world, those who can, and those who can't.  both are right.

"i'm gonna show you how great i am"-Ali

0.055 completed!

well, week one of eighteen is complete: 

4300 yards swimming

65 miles on the bike

21 miles on foot

feels great to start the training.  i was most worried about the swimming, but am really enjoying it.  felt quite sluggish each day around 3pm, but was able to get some information from a nutritionist to help my pursuit.  the advice seems to be working. (less bon bons per day)

one thing that was odd for me, was not trying to max out while lifting this week.  the training schedule only leaves one day free to lift and states that i should only lift about half the weight i normally would.  it was weird, felt like i was cheating on myself.  but after a few days in the pool, i understand why i can't be lifting the way i was.  

so, still pretty excited about this venture.  glad to know i have the support of so many to help me through. 

remember to always thank those that are willing to do anything for you, and return the gesture...

Sprinting before walking...

i often wonder, how many times have i 'sprinted before i walked'.  i know i have been picked on for it.  a property sits empty in the center of town because of it.  but, we have all been this way.  you take on more than you can handle at work, you bite off more than you can chew, and, my personal favorite, you order more food than you could ever eat (so on and so forth). so was the same when i signed up for the IronMan 70.3 in Syracuse on June 24th, 2012.  even though i have started the 18 week training program; until Sunday, i didn't have a pool and i still don't have a triathlon bike.  i actually didn't even have a way to purchase one until recently.  have been panicked about the swimming and biking, but now i am starting to feel okay about it.

but i think sometimes it's necessary to 'sprint before walking'.  see, if i didn't sign up, would i have just kept finding reasons not to do it?  it's easy to make excuses, it's much harder to put in the time and training.  but, i know when i cross that finish line, running into the arms of my most faithful/important fans i have, every hour, every lap, every swim, every mile will make it worthwhile.

being that it is only day 2 of 126, i still feel very excited.  i will continue to let you know the ups and the downs of this challenge.  

*in order to find your limits, you will need to sprint..