What it takes (I think) to be an Ironman

I'm now several months into ironman training and it is going quite well thus far. I began training for training in December, kicked off formal training in late January and have been going solid since then.

For the first period it was base building, now I'm really starting to ratchet up my training. And in doing so it is coming into focus exactly what it is going to take to do an ironman:

1. The training sessions are long enough now that it is impossible for them not to impact my family. At first I could get the 1.5-2.5 hours done early in the morning or over nap time making sure that I still had all waking hours with the kiddos. That's now done. This weekend I had 4 hours on Saturday and 3 hours on Sunday, I typically have 2-2.5 hours each day during the week. There isn't enough time, light or decent temperatures to get that all done when my kids are in bed. That will be true from now until September.

2. The idea of social time just isn't realistic. Typically during the week I am doing 3 things: family, work, and training. One of those is consuming my time from 6:30am - 9:00pm. Friday I need to prep for a long weekend, and I've got to sleep on the weekend nights so I can get through a day of training and still be coherent for my family. This makes it tough to find time to see friends.

3. The physical impact of the hours is starting to accumulate. Had a bit of a pain in my hip flexor 2 weeks ago. Saturday developed an agitated bursa sac on my left knee which looks like a walnut under my skin on the outside of my knee. I have a line of scab, soon to be scar across my chest from my heart rate monitor. I had a "hot spot" on my groin from my running shorts today. I've got a blister and a cut from my toenails on my left foot. These things are little things; until you spend 4 straight hours of friction in a bike saddle of plodding down a trail, all the while heat developing throughout your body. I'm having to rub, stretch, apply ointment, ice, etc. more and more of my body. I don't see this coming to an end soon.

This post probably reads like a complaint and it really isn't at all. From my previous experiences I clearly understand the aches and pains it takes to achieve something like this and am fully prepared to endure. I am also so incredibly thankful to have a wonderful wife who has to help, support and listen to it every day. I don't think she understands, but she knows it is important to me and is unwavering in her support. Wow am I lucky!

That said, the level of commitment needs to match the intensity of my training. When its easy there is no doubt, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't had the "what the hell am I doing this for" thoughts an hour and 45 minutes into a run in 55 degree rain.

I envision crossing the finish line in September after 12 hours of self-propulsion completely exhausted but incredibly satisfied. And then I'm going to chill out for a bit. But as Sheila knows, its just a matter of time until I find the next challenge.