Apparently, others share the view that doing an Ironman is insane. I get it. I really do. Most people think running a marathon is insane, and this is tacking a good bit on to that. What I fail to understand is why said people feel compelled to make horribly inappropriate comments.
When someone asked me why I bought a bike this weekend, I told that someone about my plans to train for an Ironman. An appropriate response would be, "Hmmm, interesting," or "Wow, that's crazy," or even "What the hell are you thinking?" What I got was, "Why don't you just have kids?" I was speechless. I'm still speechless. I searched my brain for the rest of the day, and I still can't think of a response that would have been appropriate. The only thing that comes to mind involves profanity and asking in return why that person doesn't lose 100 pounds so maybe his or her back wouldn't hurt anymore.
Another someone told me I needed to get a hobby. I asked what sort of hobby they thought would be better than the three-in-one hobby I have planned. The suggestions included scrapbooking*, video games, and crocheting.
My favorite was the person who told me I had too much time on my hands. This may very well be true, but the fact of the matter is that I live in the middle of Delaware. There isn't a lot going on most of the time. The line from Wayne's World sums it up pretty well..."Hi. I'm in Delaware." It is lovely and flat, and as it turns out, one of the 10 most bike-friendly states in the country. Short of growing corn or taking up scrapbooking, I think this is a fairly good use of what free time I have.
I am picking up my new bike tomorrow! I will also be buying a nice pair of padded shorts and perhaps a slightly cushier seat...bum still sore.
*I am not anti-scrapbooking. I think other people's scrapbooks are awesome. I have neither the
fine motor skills nor the creativity nor the patience to scrapbook. I have a box, purchased for $6.99 at Target, where I keep my non-digital pictures in no particular order. The box matches my furniture and sits inconspicuously on a shelf in my living room.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Because I Probably Won't Ever Play "Hole in One...or Two!"
I don't remember the first time I saw or heard of the Ironman triathlon. I think it was sometime after college but before I had run my first marathon. I do remember thinking, "I have to do that someday." I should begin by saying that I have said that about numerous things in my thirty years on this planet...going to the Olympics, winning a showcase on The Price is Right, playing professional football (American or European version), and the list could go on.
Nevertheless, every year when NBC airs the 90 minute recap of the Ironman World Championships from Kona, HI, I sit and watch breathlessly. I am amazed by the elite athletes who run a marathon faster after a 2.4-mile swim and a 112-mile bike ride than I ever will outright. I am in tears as they show the age-groupers from all over the world cross the finish line. Some of them cross in the heat of the afternoon while others run into the night, finishing just before the midnight cutoff. Some skip or jump across the finish line while others collapse into the arms of volunteers. I am awestruck and inspired just thinking about it.
The breaking point came one week ago. I was watching the 2005 championships on Universal Sports for the fourth time (I guess Comcast is good for something), and it hit me. I don't like to think/talk about doing things. I like to do things. So I went on the Ironman website and picked 2 potential locations (Louisville, KY or Madison, WI) for 2010. August 31 of this year is when I can apply for Louisville, so that is D-day. I am hopeful that 2 weeks from tomorrow I will officially be training for an Ironman.
So why bother with the blog? It is for completely selfish reasons. I think when I am finished, it will be amusing at the very least to look back to today. At present I know a lot about running and almost nothing about biking or swimming. I imagine that I will marvel at my naivete to think that I had any business trying this. Nevertheless, I bought a bike on Saturday so now I have to do it. Nevermind that my bum is still sore over 24 hours later.
Nevertheless, every year when NBC airs the 90 minute recap of the Ironman World Championships from Kona, HI, I sit and watch breathlessly. I am amazed by the elite athletes who run a marathon faster after a 2.4-mile swim and a 112-mile bike ride than I ever will outright. I am in tears as they show the age-groupers from all over the world cross the finish line. Some of them cross in the heat of the afternoon while others run into the night, finishing just before the midnight cutoff. Some skip or jump across the finish line while others collapse into the arms of volunteers. I am awestruck and inspired just thinking about it.
The breaking point came one week ago. I was watching the 2005 championships on Universal Sports for the fourth time (I guess Comcast is good for something), and it hit me. I don't like to think/talk about doing things. I like to do things. So I went on the Ironman website and picked 2 potential locations (Louisville, KY or Madison, WI) for 2010. August 31 of this year is when I can apply for Louisville, so that is D-day. I am hopeful that 2 weeks from tomorrow I will officially be training for an Ironman.
So why bother with the blog? It is for completely selfish reasons. I think when I am finished, it will be amusing at the very least to look back to today. At present I know a lot about running and almost nothing about biking or swimming. I imagine that I will marvel at my naivete to think that I had any business trying this. Nevertheless, I bought a bike on Saturday so now I have to do it. Nevermind that my bum is still sore over 24 hours later.
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