…next summer (‘09) – THAT is the question.
I can feel the marbles falling out of my brain onto the floor as I type. It’s ridiculous. Simply ridiculous. Isn’t it?
- 1.2 mile swim
- 58 mile bike
- 13.1 mile run (half-marathon)
Just weeks ago, I went round and round with myself over the fact I had signed up for any events at all this summer. My half-marathon is in 2 weeks, and I am planning (but have not yet registered) to do an Olympic distance tri in August. At times I feel I want to throw in the towel… and then there are times like this, when I think someone might need to stage an intervention, cuz I got it bad.
I chatted with a girlfriend earlier today who has been toying with the idea of “going-for” the Half-Ironman distance next summer. As we talked, I did as I always do during these “dream sessions” – I fell. I fell for the whole, “Oh, I’ll just train to finish, not finish first…” Dream, dream, dream…
*taps self on shoulder* Who am I? The Jenny I used to know was never like this… she ate a lot more chocolate, ice cream, chips and fast food. She also felt miserable most of the time. She dreaded warm weather because it meant shorts, short sleeves… nowhere to hide. That Jenny never dreamed she could do run! Perhaps step-aerobics on occasion, but she was always too tired to get up and do it.
Just yesterday, Katie and I discussed running the Portland Marathon this coming October. At one point I said something like, “…and you know, when training for a full you don’t have to go more than 18-20 miles – that’s not bad… you don’t have to go the full 26!” Katie, being the sensible woman that she is – pointed out my insanity, “Did you just hear yourself? You just said 18-20 miles isn’t bad.”
Good point Katie. It’s good to keep things in perspective.
We both realized just how far we have come. Just a little over 2 years ago it was all we could manage to make it 3 miles. Scratch that, 2 miles for that matter. Now we talk – seriously – about things like marathons and half-ironman triathlons.
And, ya know, the real quandary is not about The Event – it’s about The Training. It’s about the time and how much training REALLY needs to happen. When I look at training plans (half iron), some recommend 10-12 hours a week. Yeah, no. 7 hours a week on average? How much time is enough to get us in under the 8 hour time limit? Our Olympic tri is in August. I think we should focus on getting through that. Then we’ll have 11 months to train… or not :)
Can I just say, I am so thankful for my husband. I am a lucky, lucky woman. When I brought up the half to him (again, cuz I made noise about doing it this summer) and he is ready to support his wife and her crazy dream. And it’s not easy on him… he cares for the kids during the long training runs, and when I’m all sick-n-such because my tummy gets jumbled and icky after log and/or hard workouts… Then there’s race-day… my recovery time… he’s golden.
Now, I need a sponsor. I need a road bike, running shoes, bike shoes, new goggles, a triathlon wet-suit, for starters… any ideas?
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Keep up-to-date on the insane, the insightful, and the whatever…
Yeah, it’s true that training for a marathon isn’t that bad. If you can run for 2 hours, then running for 3 is something you can do too. :-) And certainly don’t make the mistake of over-training like I did.
The question is whether there is anything else you would like to do. When I trained for the marathon, it became the big focus of my life, or of the spare time and brain cells I have right now. Stretching, drinking (water, that is), eating, finding the proper attire (ya know), finding the bathroom, stocking up on gels, socks, shoes, spending a small fortune in regular increments at the running store…oh yes, and sleeping…
I am planning to do the Seafair half at the end of June. It would be my first official half marathon. And may be my last too. I’m finding that I’d rather put my energy in other directions. Other goals I want to complete. I still like running 6 mi or so, but get me much past 10 miles, and it feels like a bigger sacrifice to the schedule etc. And I’m gettin old too, feelin’ and seein’ the effects of the miles on my body. To get it out of my system though I want to run one half marathon. Cuz I can. While I can.
So maybe you should do the Ironman 70.3. If you wanna :-)
You are pretty amazing, Jenny! I’m inspired by you. And that Paul guy is pretty cool too. Thanks for keeping me going. :-)
As far as sponsors go, I’m sure I could talk to the founders of Ingram Labs. You’d probably have to wear “Lab Rat” on the back of your tri suit though ;-) First right of refusal.. I just want the first shot. If Nike comes along, then I’ll be your agent/trainer instead. And they get like all kinds of matching gear (only for boys).
If you can run it, do it (oh did I just hear Nike ring in? “…and Miss On The Spot, what color would you like your swoosh in?”). I think you would love to have that accomplishment under your belt and more so you will love the whole process! Just do it (oh Nike called again…they are looking for finishers…) Luv ya Jenny! You are inspiring (I ran for 5 min yesterday! Yes it’s true! I know – you can get up off the floor and massage your laugh worn belly now).
You could research sponsorship opportunities with local sports retailers. Write up a proposal (Yes! I’ll wear a shirt with you name on it!) Present you past times/scores, etc. Get them all enthused and next thing you know Nike will be knocking at your door. Very simple. Not complicated in the slightest.
Or… you could talk with the founder of Ingram Labs.
GO TEAM ON THE SPOT!!! RAH! RAH! RAH!
Go for it! I love 1/2 marathons and TRI’s so both sound like a great idea. Although Olympic distance have three sports, I found that the training didn’t take much more time than a 1/2 or full marathon and was so much easier on my body than the 1/2 or full of pure running. And on a positive note, you probably don’t need a wetsuit for an August Tri…just the bike, etc.
Amy
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