Ironwoman

The purpose of this blog is to record the journey I'm about to make in my training to complete the Ford Lake Placid 2011 Ironman. Yea, I know, it's more than an year away. But you have no idea the amount of preparation that's already gone into this thing. First of all, you can't just decide, I'm fit enough to do an Ironman in 6 months, and register. The events in the US sell out fast (matter of hours), and you're lucky to get a spot if you're registering online. I decided to take on the big event this past December, and shared the news with my pace leader at the CA International Marathon. She told me I'd have better luck getting a spot for 2011 if I physically GO to Lake Placid and register in person. Really? Yes, really, or else you're not getting in. Oh. Fast forward a few weeks later to masters swim at GGTSC, my fellow swimmers inform me, No, You really need to be a volunteer, that way you are guaranteed a spot for 2011. Really? Yes, really, or else you might not get a spot. Oh.

So - January 25th, 2010, I literally waited by my computer to register online at midnight, like I was buying tickets to a concert. Done! I'm a registered volunteer. Alright! I will be doing this thing. What's next?

1. Shit, I need to buy an expensive road bike. 112 miles isn't just the typical stroll through Golden Gate Park.

2. Shit, I need a place to sleep in Lake Placid while I'm volunteering. Oh great, all the athletes have booked up the nearby hotels.

3. Shit, I need plane tickets to the east coast.

4. Shit, I need to take vacation days to do this.... errr how many have I already used??

5. Shit, I need to have a base in open water swimming, cycling, and running.

6. OMG it's $550 to register?!

7. Shit, I'll need to book way in advance for a cabin for 2011.

8. OMG, I need a second job to pay for some of this.

And so started the many sacrifices (happily made) to get this into production. So if you think I'm jumping the gun with starting this blog 14 months before the actual event, the reality is, it's been in the works for six months already. I have 47 days until I register. And #1 on the to do list still hasn't been checked off (eek!).