The Ironman Tattoo (a.k.a. "The M-Dot")

Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't have a tattoo nor have I ever wanted a tattoo. For those who don't know, it is customary for many that once they have completed their first IM distance triathlon that a "M-dot tat" is sure to follow. This has come up in discussion now at multiple parties, functions and training sessions. So, I thought that I should probably go ahead and go on the record and say that I will be sporting an awesome M-dot charm around my neck or an M-dot bracelet. Some kind of divine intervention will be necessary for me to get the M-dot permanently placed on my body. I will gladly hold the hands of all those who venture into the tat-shop and want to get it done :)

No Doggie Paddling Allowed

Tonight was our first scheduled swim test...the Cooper swim test. At the mention of the word "test", I naturally get nervous and am taken back to graduate school days of oral comprehensive exams. But tonight was a different kind of anxiety. To begin with, the pool was closed upon our arrival due to a chlorine issue. What normally requires no wait was now a 45- minute wait. Once we got onto the pool deck, we settled into our lane and began preparation. Enter anxiety-provoker #2, Janice, the Drew Wellness swim coach and she was headed right for us. She was wonderful enough to provide us with an early Christmas present which was a swim stroke evaluation. She has done this for us from time-to-time and we are always little sponges soaking up all of the tips that she provides. However, in this situation, this added more anxiety to the anxiety I was already experiencing because now I was being observed for a new stroke technique.

We began the test. Midge first...Midge took off and completed 25 lengths of the pool in the time allowed. Oh the pressure, I was next. Could I even complete half that? I looked at Janice, who was ready right along with Midge to hit the start button on the watch. I politely said, "you don't have to watch". She politely responded, "Go ahead and get started...I'll be right here..." AND she was for the entire swim test. LOL

I came in at 23 1/2 lengths which was very good for me, I thought. I was grateful for Janice and grateful that the swim test was over. It was exciting to have everyone cheering me on as if I was trying to qualify for an Olympic event. The good news is...plenty of time for improvement and a new admiration for competitive swimmers! The bad news...I don't think I would qualify for an Olympic event...but I was proud that I didn't resort to doggie paddling to complete the test. :)

Run Forrest Run - "My mama said, 'Stupid is as stupid does.'"

One of the biggest problems I have in the triathlon, duathlon and century events I have completed as well as often during my training sessions is taking off way too fast. I hear the words "I am timing you" or "top 3 win" and my brain shifts into a competition mode and it doesn't shut down easily. So, my run coach decided this week that she would teach me and my fellow running partners a lesson.

Toni, our run coach, said that she was going to time us. We were to run down 4 light poles and back...then down 5 light poles and back...then finally down 6 light poles and back...The object was for our last time to be less than our initial time. Being the jokester that I am, this was an easy accomplishment in my head and I huddled us together for a quick planning session. We'd show her. Obviously, the key was to run the first leg slow. Duh! Like I said, in my head it worked. In the execution it failed...as soon as two of us heard the sound "GO", we bolted down the path like a horse out of the start gate. With the first leg time recorded (and it was low), I had to go into Plan B. I decided that I would do a "slower jog" down but this time, full-on sprint back...that would surely solve the problem we'd created for ourselves...When all was said and done...this plan failed for us also.

So with this said, the lesson of the evening: Slow and steady wins the race. Pacing is everything and with a 140.6 mile race a year from now, I hope to take this lesson with me.

The Decision to Embark on This Journey

Several people have asked me why I would want to do an IM. I am not entirely sure that I can put my finger on the exact moment that I made the decision to begin this journey. I know that after having a successful first season of triathlons and century rides, I wanted something more challenging. I watched a friend cross the finish line via Live Feed in IM Kentucky last month and I think that it gave me the push. She went from couch potato to IM in one year...most impressive I think. Then, the opportunity to train with a group came about and meet new people...to be a newbie and have such a wonderful group of men and women athletes around you who have done it and who will guide you through the process is a "high"...a bonus...luck. So, I can't really say the exact moment it happened, but regardless, I know that the decision was the right one. I have embraced a new training schedule, a new mindset and a new "me" as I conclude Week 4 of my 53 week training schedule. Here I go... I will keep you posted.

What Not To Eat Before Getting on the Trainer...

Midge, who will be my faithful training partner, and I were supposed to eat at home last night rather than eating out. Instead, she had a craving for Long John Silver's. Uggghhhh, I thought but nevertheless, I gave in... However, I opted for popcorn chicken at the KFC next door which turned out to not be any better. Thirty minutes later, we are both off the bike trainers and I am laying on the couch with Bailey feeling totally miserable. Lesson for this training session: Long John Silver's and/or KFC are not good pre-race meals! I don't think we'll readily forget that!

What a Stressful Registration Process!

Registration day is over! I am not sure that the event itself could be THIS stressful. After 57 minutes of attempting to get my "register" button to actually register me, one my fellow Ironman folks got in and subsequently got several of us in. What a stressful process! I told several folks that for a $525 registration fee and the process of getting in, you'd think that we were vying for tickets to "The Last Supper"...now that I think about it, 140.6 miles might just include a last supper! Anyway, we are all in. There are 15 of us travelling to AZ in 2009 from the Midlands area. To say I am excited would be an understatement. We've booked our hotels already!