Stupid Carpe Diem Songs!

[Veronica]

They make me think too much about what I'm doing with my life.

Thom and I got talking about dreams today as we were driving over to Mt Diablo for our bike ride. You know... "Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse..."

We're both very happy in general with lives. We love our jobs (most of the time). We love each other all the time. We love our kitties... life is good. Really the only dreams we have are about traveling... except... I want to do an Ironman. Thom asked me what's keeping me from making it happen. I'm terrified of the amount of training. I did my two HIM this year with sh!t for training. I can suffer very well day of... Can I make myself do what I need to, to make this work... we'll see.

July 30, 2011 is the full Vineman.

Veronica

[crazycanuck]

V..you're one tough & strong chick and could see you doing an IM.

You make everything look easy!

[redrhodie]

Have fun at your Ironman! I have no doubt you'll make this dream come true.

[Trek420]

Just change "how hard can it be?" thread to "THIS is how hard it is"

[spindizzy]

V-
You are strong. Your are tenacious. You can make it work.
Thom supports you. Don't let the fear of training hold you back.

[colby]

July 30's not bad - you get spring outdoor training time and it's not too far into the summer to ruin good long (or longish) riding time afterward. You'll do great. Have to knock things off the bucket list sooner or later.

[kacie tri-ing]

Go for it!

[Dogmama]

I read something recently (Chi Running?) about this sort of topic. It made a lot of sense to me. It said that our activities should be extensions of our lives rather than goals to be set & accomplished. Running/cycling/swimming should be done for the pure joy of movement rather than counting out miles/calories/days to the event. If we find ourselves able to compete as a side benefit that's fine.

I wish I could be so pure of heart & mind. I'm going to try to incorporate that into my training (is it proper to call it training?) I confuse myself regularly. Thinking too much again.

[kacie tri-ing]

I read something recently (Chi Running?) about this sort of topic. It made a lot of sense to me. It said that our activities should be extensions of our lives rather than goals to be set & accomplished. Running/cycling/swimming should be done for the pure joy of movement rather than counting out miles/calories/days to the event. If we find ourselves able to compete as a side benefit that's fine.

I wish I could be so pure of heart & mind. I'm going to try to incorporate that into my training (is it proper to call it training?) I confuse myself regularly. Thinking too much again.

I get your point...but...at the same time. Committing to a goal is like setting out on a journey. Particularly a goal as large as and IM. This is coming from someone who is starting to really reflect on my journey to the race. The accomplishment is one thing, but the journey has done so much for me. It has pushed me in ways that I have never been pushed before mentally, emotionally, and physically. It has strenghtened my relationship with husband. I have been able to talk to my students about fitness and reaching goals.

Don't get me wrong....I can't WAIT to get to the finish line. I mean, I can't wait. But that's not all its about.

[maillotpois]

I'm no triathlete (obviously) but am wondering just from a training perspective - have people who do IMs usually done marathons before? I would think that would be a VERY good idea and if you (and the people who've actually done IMs) agree, then I'd suggest training for the Cal International Marathon in Sac in December. http://www.runcim.org/ That gives you plenty of time to train for it and it is a pretty flat easy first marathon. Generally nice and cool as well, which is good. And it is a fun marathon - has a very hometown feel as you run through nice residential areas with families out on their lawns watching you and kids giving you orange slices.

Just a thought ...

[Veronica]

I said the amount of training terrifies me because I want to keep it fun. Granted my idea of fun is somewhat skewed from other people's. Back in 2008 I was working on a 200 K a month goal. Riding became drudgery, and it wasn't fun. I tried twice to do month 10. I probably would have finished the first attempt, but I had a mechanical. However, earning an R-12 award wasn't a dream. An IM has been a dream of mine for a long time - back before I even started doing tris.

I spent my staff development day doodling about Ironman distances and trying to create an acrostic poem.

It's kind of lame...but here it is.

I am a badazz
Runner
Optimism - you can do this
Never give up
Motor on
Attitude is everything!
Natural talent only goes so far - go run!


Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

I'm no triathlete (obviously) but am wondering just from a training perspective - have people who do IMs usually done marathons before? I would think that would be a VERY good idea and if you (and the people who've actually done IMs) agree, then I'd suggest training for the Cal International Marathon in Sac in December. http://www.runcim.org/ That gives you plenty of time to train for it and it is a pretty flat easy first marathon. Generally nice and cool as well, which is good. And it is a fun marathon - has a very hometown feel as you run through nice residential areas with families out on their lawns watching you and kids giving you orange slices.

Just a thought ...

Well, some have, and some haven't. Most all first timers to IM do not use a marathon in the midst of training. Unless you are not injury prone, it is way too much of a risk. Colby does one in her off season every year, but she has also done three. A stand alone marathon and an IM marathon are different beasts. I have done one, but I did not want to get anywhere near the risk of hurting my hips by running the whole 26 before the race.

You have to look at your training plan or talk with your coach about the risks,.

Love the acryonym!

[JennK13]

I read something recently (Chi Running?) about this sort of topic. It made a lot of sense to me. It said that our activities should be extensions of our lives rather than goals to be set & accomplished. Running/cycling/swimming should be done for the pure joy of movement rather than counting out miles/calories/days to the event. If we find ourselves able to compete as a side benefit that's fine.

This is great, and how I "train". Obviously, training for something as big and long as an IM requires much more discipline than "activity extension", but that could be why I haven't thought about doing one, too. This is my first year doing tris (2 down this summer, 1 more I've signed up for), and I haven't done any real "structured" training. I'm a horrible swimmer, so I did meet with a trainer for a swim lesson, and took an open water swim clinic - I'm better than I was, but by no means am I "good". I try to make an effort to swim more, and with it being summer, it's a little easier. Lap swimming at the rec center is only available from 5:30-7am and I'm not much of a morning person! Fortunately, my office is a mile from the south entrance of a state park with a reservoir, so I can ride up to the lake in 10 mins and swim there after work (been nice with this heat!), then I ride around the park, the lake water keeping me cool. However, most of our swim beaches close the end of September, so I'll have to go to the rec center if I want to swim.
Running (ok, it's jogging) is something I already do, and I ride all the time. Mini and Sprint Triathlons are just fun for me, and other than some brick workouts, I do no "formal" training.

[Pika]

I think it is great that you have made the first step toward your goal. I had an IM in the back of my head for 25 yrs but I always had a reason not to do it- school, work just life..finally my husband said this is it- why not this year- you won't feel differently next year- you will put it off again- now just a week out I am so happy he pushed me to sign up.
You will love the journey!
have fun
Tam