June 2007 Archives
I spent a good chunk of time today studying with the Ironman CDA feed in the background of the computer. I have Ironman on the brain.
On my way back from running errands this evening I took a slight detour to check out a potential ride route. The drive was beautiful ... and I can't wait to get out and ride it. The only problem is that its hilly. And I mean really hilly.
I keep telling myself you live in Colorado now ... you are going to have to learn to climb. And believe me I want to learn to climb but I'm so far gone right now that throwing myself into riding out here is more than a little intimidating. It has been months since I have been on a bike and a year since I rode with any regularity. I really want to get out there but MAN I need a little bit of time to get in shape before I start riding freakin' mountains (ok, so it probably only seemed like mountains but remember that I am from Kansas!!).
I know it will make me a better rider but from the perspective of someone who sucks at climbing in general and is also way out of shape, its intimidating as hell.
As I type this, 2,000 athletes and their friends and families are descending upon a little town in North Idaho for a week filled of excitement and adrenalin and pain and dreams coming true (and some being shattered). Its Ironman week. And I'm not there.
The fact that IMCDA is this weekend also means that it has been a year .. a full year ... since I have been in tip top shape. This year off has been fabulous for me. I've rested and recovered and hung out with friends and moved and gotten back on the trail. And I've also rekindled the desire to train.
Apparently nothing gets you off your ass like a year spent sitting on it.
I've yet to really ride since we moved to Colorado but I have been running and lifting regularly. And it feels SO GOOD to be getting back in shape. After five straight years of taking "Ironman shape" for granted - now I'm able to appreciate it. I still have a long long way to go before I'm even remotely close to where I was, but its just nice to want to do it again.
The fact that IMCDA is this weekend, and the ridiculous rate at which these things fill up, also brings up the question of what happens next year?. My pal Katie has not forgotten that on a slightly drunken night in Denver a few months back we toasted to Ironman Wisconsin 08. I'm considering it (as well as maybe Lake Placid or Canada - but probably Wisconsin). There's a few things I need to figure out first - whether I can afford it, whether I want to commit to something that big right away ... but I'm really excited about the possibility. And it would be really fun to have someone doing the same race at about the same speed to train with. I've never had that before.
Much as I try to deny it, this stuff is in my blood. Its not easy to leave behind. After how horrible last year was for me, I didn't know if I would ever go back. And the truth is, I'm a little scared. Which, for me, is all the more reason to do it.
This afternoon was blissfully free of BarBri so I did what I have been wanting to do since we got here. I loaded up the running gear and the mutt and quite literally headed for the hills.
Ok, so it was only a 30 minute run but it was my first chance to check out one of Boulder's Open Space parks and one of the many times I thought to myself this is EXACTLY why we moved here.
On the recommendation of a neighbor we headed for Marshall Mesa. It was a short drive from the apartment and the next thing I knew the mutt and I were cruising along a trail next to a running stream under a beautiful Colorado blue sky. Life is freakin' GOOD eh?
Despite the fact that the mutt was sporting her green Voice and Sight tag she was certainly NOT under voice and sight control. Twice the prairie dogs turned out to be too much of a temptation for her and she took off. The rangers would not have been pleased. We definitely have some work to do.
I don't think we're ever leaving. Ever.
