The Beginning

It is said:

                Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 120 miles, run 26.2 miles and brag for the rest of your life.


I cannot articulate the reason for this quest.  I can admit to a bit of good personal feelings at accomplishing something that few people have done.  I feel pride at having lost 100 pounds, and competing in sprint and olympic distance triathalons for 6 years.  In the last 2 years I have completed 3 70.3 tri's.  i will be competing in the Austin 70.3 in October.

I have decided to move up too the full ironman distance.  My choice is going to be the Ironman Louisville in 2012.  As I type fellow triathaletes are on the course.  Some finnishing the swim and some on the bike.  The pros should be finnishing the bike in the next couple of hours.  Fellow age groupers will follow.   One thing I have learned is that there is always someone behind you trying to catch you and there will always be someone ahead for me to catch.

I have decided to blog my year as a way of listening to my inner voice.  Of all things in this endeavor I am most worried about the mental and emotional strain it will place on me and my family.  I am using a coach from the tri club I belong to.  I have had a discussion with my wife regarding this journey.  It will take time and money.

Money is one of the biggest mental and emotional strains.  I am a very blessed person.  At this point I have the financial means to adequately approach this endeavor.  Having said that I still had a great deal of "buyers remorse" after writing the check for my coach.  My entire life has been a quest to provide for my family.  This will always be my focus.  I will never be able to put myself and my wants ahead of my wife and children.  I had a father that lived this and I learned from him. 

So how is someone supposed feel good about spending money even though his family is well taken care of?

This will probably be one of the toughest questions as I begin.

I hope to settle into a routine of posting regularly.  For now postings will be fast and furious as I get used to my new lifestyle.