Only 2 weeks left and then it all begins. Yeah I have been training but only about 8-9 hours a week. An occasional 9 - 10 mile run and of course winter cyclocross races once every 3 or 4 weeks. But Janruary 1 the base training begins followed by the 26 week Ironman program from the Training Plans for Multisport athletes. It starts around a 9 hour training week and peaks at 18 hours. (almost like a second job). Looking back on 2008 how did I get here. Its been quite a trip. Last year was my toughest ever with 2 marathons (Flying Pig and Quad Citites), 2 half ironman's (Pigman and Effingham) 2 sprints (Tri Shark and Effingham) and 1 olympic (Evergreen International). I can truely say I loved every minute of it. To Tri is to be alive. Words can't describe the joy of competition. Reflecting back I can only say I am the luckiesties person in the world. I have an awesome beautiful wife who is so tolerant of my obsession, kids who are always proud of me a great job and a wonderful Saviour who just keeps on giving and giving. Thinking back over three years ago when I was suffering from patellar tendonitis and my doctors reply, oh your one of those runners huh. Why don't you stop running. This will never get better until you stop running. By the way did I mention stop running. As if, why not just ask me to stop breathing. Well that was three marathons ago and my knee has never felt better, so bite me doc! Now approximately 8 months away the time has come. Ironman Louisville 2009. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running. 140.6 miles in less then 17 hours (hopefully less then 15) and I will be an Ironman!!! Grrrrr! Thank you to all my family, all my friends. all the Tri Sharks for all the advice, the open water swim workouts, the time trials, the century rides, my friends from the wheelers as well. Also thanks to the good folks at Blue Competition Cycles for making such a fine cycling machine. This will be your victory as well as mine.
