random first timer thoughts on IM training
Just some random Ironman training thoughts that have been going through my mind… any random training thoughts going through yours?
It should not be a surprise since this is my first Ironman, but this training is the hardest physical thing I have done in my life. I am very proud of myself to have made it this far. No way – NO WAY! – I would be here without EN – the training plans, the people, the knowledge, the different perspective on IM training, the focus on race execution…
I am so grateful that my wife has been willing to pick up some many (ok, pretty much all) the household chores, including laundry, dishes, cooking, gardening, shopping, and dealing with the kids. I usually do a lot around the house and having her do so much is awesome!
I’m not sure how I’m going to thank my wife for her support… but I’m considering dance lessons with her at a place near our house. Whatever it is, I want to do something with her and not buy her something.
Anyone who has triathlon as a hobby is very fortunate to have the physical ability and financial resources necessary for the sport. I try to give thanks every time I work out, especially when I ride my bike since the bike took a good chunk of financial resources. When I ride fast or run hard I feel alive and I know no better way to experience God than by living life to the fullest.
I have spent an embarrassing amount of money on triathlon (which I would not admit, except I know you have too!). This year alone I have bought a new tri bike, helmet (I left my previous on at a race), Adamo saddle, Infinite, running shoes, and lots and lots of food. Then again, I have sacrificed new clothes, many books and magazines, cable television, beers and nights out drinking, etc.
I was talking to a couple aunts and uncles about the Ironman. They think it is stupid. They didn’t think “wow, that is amazing” they thought “what a silly thing to do”.
I am already thinking ahead to next year and would love to do a 24 hour running race (1 mile from my house), a 5 mile swim (15 miles from my house) and an epic bike ride – maybe one of the hilly WI rides. I also need to redeem myself at the Liberty HIM. I’m not sure I’ll do another IM, if I do, it’ll likely be non-branded.
I am really nervous about the post-Ironman blues. By then I will have been thinking about or training for IMWI for over a year and honestly don’t know what I’ll fill my time with. Though, I am going to coach my son’s 4th grade traveling hoops team.
At some point on the course I’ll be overcome with emotions, I imagine when I see my family or friends. I just hope it is not when I am screaming down one of those hills. 
I love having shaved legs. I hate my bike kit tan lines.
I think I am raising the ceiling on what my kids will think is possible. Since they’re seeing me do something very difficult, I hope I’m inspiring them to do something equally as challenging to them. Maybe not now, maybe when they’re my age. Maybe it won’t be athletic, it doesn’t matter. I am happy to be setting an example of tackling something difficult with a plan, with passion, with sacrifices, and dedication.
I am super excited for my family to meet other ENers and your families. I love bringing good people together.
Comments
My second list of first IM thoughts were about execution. I had a power meter, but no EN. My coach told me to "Race from the heart." I cobbled together a plan from reading Gordo Byrne's blog and some tri magazines. Looking back: my planned IF for the bike was around 0.8, my nutrition on the bike was >500 Cal/hour, and I ran a tempo pace for the first 6 miles of the run. What a complete disaster!
David, where you are now with EN puts you far up on the learning curve. The first IM journey can be one filled with so much self discovery, elated joyous moments and dark, bitter ones. You know you're alive for sure!
David,
Having just completed my second IM, I can identify with a lot of your thoughts, having been there and experienced it all over again.
The fact that you're grateful to your family and for the ability, physically and financially, shows that you get it. Don't worry about the post IM blues. Some get them, so don't. Personally, I haven't.
I get overcome with emotions as I enter the water for the start and at the finish. It's overwhelming.
Keep enjoying the journey.
Dave
Relish these last 7 weeks - they will go fast. Thank your body for allowing you to be able to do this and, most of all, thank those you love for sacrificing everything they have for the past year so you can be a little (OK, a lot) selfish.
Can't wait to meet you in Madison!
Keep up the good work & see you in Madison.
Great stuff, David.
I will tell you that having my family share my first IM was just about the best part of my day.(And hearing, "You are an IM", of course). They were there for #2 and plan to be in Madison. That really fills my heart.
My wish for you and myself is that you experience the overwhelming sense of calm I felt at the start of my first in '08. Looking forward to meeting you!!
It's nice to hear you express your gratitude for all the different components of IM training. We are truly blessed and lucky to be able to do this. Family support cannot be underestimated. It's nice that you want to do something with your wife as opposed to buying her something. Good man!
that lump Josh had on his ride, I just had reading your note.... I'm kinda shaking as I write this email
I must agree with you - even though we do push it to the limit. the hardest part about making it through Ironman is making it to the start line, and not the finish line (spoken like I've been doing this for years, when in fact it's my first....) It must be even harder to make it to the start line for your family and the people that love you around you - after all, they are not crossing that line with you - when in fact they should. they went through all this with you
I look forward to meeitng you and your family as well
-hb
Right on, right on, right on! Very glad I read that. My day's a bit brighter right now.
I have to say that I have come to a place--this being IM #3 for me--that toeing the line is a gift. No matter how it goes, for me it is a day of immense gratitude, pride and triumph.
thanks, David. I'm training for my first IM, too (IMFL)... and feel a lot of the same things. I am lucky to have a very supportive friends and SO here in DC! Although my SO is a triathlete, he doesn't do long course and doesn't really get my training and workout plans... but, at the end of the day, he is supportive and has agreed to my doing a 2nd next year (in fact, I know he's proud of me bc he tells people about my training when I'm not there... when I arrive they ask me about the IM so I know he's brought it up). My family is like yours, with the exception of one of my younger brothers (who is a marathoner and just did his first OLY last month) they just think I'm nuts and worry I'm pushing my body too hard... I've got triathlon friends and non-athlete friends alike... and they are all incredibly supportive!
I've invited them all to Florida. The SO will be there. I know my little brother will try to make it and wants to be there. I know my mom wants to come (although she really has no idea what this is that I'm doing and worries it's unhealthy and too much), my dad...well... he'd rather save the money bc he'll be bored (having him come to see my and my older brother run a marathon was a nightmare... it was more about him standing around being bored than about us). My other two brothers - well they have families and have their own priorities, although I really hope they consider it... My very close non-athlete friends truly just want me to be happy and healthy. When I ran a local marathon they came out holding signs for me (I had no idea they would). That meant so much to me. I hope they come, they're like family to me, but I know it's asking a lot.
With all of this in mind, I've recently made a conscious decision to try to downplay this whole thing (trying to minimize my FB posts about training, etc)... While I'm nervous, excited and pretty proud of myself for even trying (I can't imagine the pride I'll feel if I finish) I don't want it to define me insofar as I'm known solely as a triathlete... there's more to me... I DO want to be defined by my determination and perseverance. I set a goal, made a promise as it were - and in good times and bad I stuck with it. I think being an Ironman is about character. I would love to be known as an Ironman in that regard not just because I can swim and bike and run for a really long time.
And I have to share my thankfulness for the EN family... triathlons are an individual event but this group has turned it into a team sport and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing group of men and women. I've learned so much from everyone since I joined in December. I've personally met a handful of you all, and you're all amazing... and I've been touched by the kindness and helpfulness and supportiveness of everyone here. I can't imagine doing this as a first timer without you at my side and in my heart.
Other random thoughts on why I'm doing this is because I can. That's how I felt when I started running as an adult... I broke my neck as a young teenager (was almost paralyzed), spent my childhood and teenage years (including college) overweight and unhappy... during, and particularly after, law school I took charge of myself and my life. I caught the exercise bug and it is my drug of choice (well, that and red wine and dark chocolate). I'm fortunate enough to be healthy ... and financially stable enough to be able to afford the equipment, registration, travel expenses associated with the sport. As a healthy and athletic person I want to be a good example to my friends, family, and kids (if I have them someday)... I want to show them a better way... someday I want to be Bob or Jillian (seriously, quit my day job and help people help themselves).
I do this because when I'm out running or even swimming or biking I can be free and my day to day worries kind of disappear - my head actually turns off, which is amazing... (well, except when, like Kitboo, I'm worrying about things that might break on me during the bike ride).. and while I was riding my first HIM all I could think of to think about was how happy I was to be there and how thankful I was to be there feeling good and enjoying myself. When it stops being fun, I'll stop. I hope it never stops being fun.
As a first timer of course I worry about logistics, about getting knocked around during the swim, about swallowing too much salt water, getting sea sick from the waves, about not getting the nutrition right on the bike, about what to pack in special needs bags and how to take a bottle from an aid stop person no to mention then fill my water bottle on the fly, about finishing the run after a 112 mile bike ride, about cramping, overheating, walking.... but I've trusted the training so far... and hope that serenity will find its way to me before November 6. As Nemo and Kate recently told me, this first IM is about finishing with a smile on my face... that's my goal. I can worry about everything else next year in Wisconsin.
The next day a friend called her folks and told them that she did it and after hanging up the phone mentioned “they don’t get it”. Then while talking to another friend they mentioned that friends or family (I don’t remember) “don’t get it”. While at the race site, after buying cool finisher gear, there was a girl sitting on a bench talking to a friend on a cell and mentioned that her parent’s “just don’t get it”. My mom and I start laughing at how strange it was that we kept hearing that phrase and she asked if I though she “got it”. I told her that she didn’t before but after seeing the race and the circus that surrounds it she did.
From that mass swim start to seeing the athletes who never thought they’d finish an IM cross the line before midnight, it’s hard not to get swept up in it.