In 2005 I saw the Seattle Danskin Sprint and felt like a lazy bum, so I started running - I saw running as the major challenge to me doing a triathlon. I bought a road bike in the spring. I walked the 12k in 2005, ran it in 2006, then ran a half marathon that Memorial Day. I sucked it up and ran a marathon that year, 2006. Tears at the finish and all - it was a symbolic victory.

In 2007, I did 2 sprints, a couple of half marathons, and the marathon again in November. During the triathlon season but well before the marathon season, I signed up for Ironman 2008. No joke. 3 triathlons (sprints) under my belt and I signed up for an Ironman. I am crazy. But, again, I knew I could swim that distance, I knew I could train for the bike, and I knew I could run a marathon. To me, the challenge was ALL in the run, and I knew I could do that after doing it in 2006. I guess I like to learn things the hard way?

2008, I did my first Ironman, and a couple of sprints, and I only did half marathons. I did do training race simulations that were olympic/HIM distance which did teach me quite a bit about things like nutrition. In my Ironman build I beat bad mechanics into my hip and had to do PT, which meant no marathon.

2009, I did my second Ironman, 4 sprints, 2 olympic distance races, a marathon, and several half marathons.

2010, I will basically do the same as last year, except I may skip the second olympic distance race for an organized bike ride this weekend instead. I am planning on racing the marathon again in November.

In the back of my mind, I think after racing my first triathlon and running that marathon I always had a "the only challenge left to do is an Ironman" mentality. It does not help that it's in my backyard.