The Start of the Journey

Everybody has their own private mount Everest to climb. In my case, there has been more than a few; and most of them were not climbed by choice. In 2010 however, I consciously choosing to take on a big one: I am going to do an Ironman. Then I will get the tattoo and call myself an ironmom.

I am told its one of the toughest mental and physical challenges a person can take on. Picture yourself swimming 4000 meters (thats 160 laps of your average 25 meter pool). Then get out of the water, and bicycle for 180kms. At a fast pace of 25km per hour, you'll be sitting on the bike for over 7 hours. When that's done, then just run a marathon. Yes, I mean put on your running shoes and actually run for 42 kms. If you finish this in under 17 hours, you can call yourself an ironman.

This ironman is a grueling experience for many skilled athletes... and many manage to compete in one every year and prove to the world that they masters both in mental and physical stamina.

I am not a skilled athlete. I am a nearly 40 year old woman, with 2.5 children, a full time job, many interests outside of work, a boyfriend who travels to earn his living, and a few best friends I invest alot of time in. And I am going to do an ironman this year. Why? Well I am not crazy. I just want to prove a few things to myself. I want to prove that an average person can accomplish whatever they sent their mind to. I want to prove that being highly organized is absolutely essential in the world we live in - if we want to have it all. And I want to document how to do it... because I think its going to be feasible despite some of the obstacles I face. Lastly, there are a couple of demons I want to exorcise - a grueling physical regime is the best way I have found to do this.

Today is January 7th 2010. Its the start of the New Year. The Lake Placid Ironman is exactly 202 days away. I am armed with strong will, determination, a nutrition plan, a training plan, and a specific number of hours in each day. Today is the beginning of the journey.