In the winter of 2010 I was going to the chiropractor 3 times a week for back pain which was the result of a on duty motor vehicle crash a year earlier. I had gained some weight, and wasn't happy with what I was becoming. It took a full year for me to do SOMETHING about it. So, on Dec. 28th, 2011 I ran 1 single mile. It took over 14 minutes. Yeah you heard that right, 14 minutes. Dec, 31st, 2011 I ran 3 WHOLE miles and it took an excruciation 40+ minutes. That night I went to my buddies house for a New Year's Eve celebration. 4 of us all made a pact that we would run the Marine Corp Marathon on the last Sunday of October.
The first 3+ months of training where the hardest for a number of reasons. I had some extra weight to get rid of and I was still struggling with lingering back/neck pains from that 2009 crash. By June I was off to the races. Times were improving even though I had no idea what I was doing. I was just following Hal Higdon's novice marathon training program. Just getting out there was making me faster and stronger. So, I completed the Marine Corp Marathon in 5 hours 10 minutes and 25 seconds. The last 6 miles is what really ballooned my time but I didn't care, I finished.
A few weeks after the marathon I started to run again and stay active. After seeing the Ironman World Championships I thought it would be a good idea for me to take up triathlon. I signed up for a 1/2 Ironman. That's right nothing like going in head first! Problem is, I can only swim to save my life, not to be competitive. I spent 3+ days a week from November through April learning how to swim. I had some people give me tips and pointers and of course watching youtube helped too. As soon as the weather got warm I was out on the bike and running again. the bike I borrowed from a good friend of mine. After competing in my first sprint tri I was hooked.
I did a few more and it was time for the big one. A 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and then a half marathon. 70.3 miles to glory, or something like that. I have never felt better or worse during an event than at Timberman 70.3 . Even when I felt terrible I knew I was going to finish, it was awesome. So, after Timberman I said, if I can do a half Ironman why not do the real thing! So, I signed up for Ironman Lake Placid (IMLP). IMLP is the second greatest Ironman event in North America behind only the Holy Grail; Kona. Actually, I was quite lucky to get in as I hadn't volunteered for IMLP 2013. I was able to secure one of the few spots that were released on Active.com.
One thing I had learned from the 70.3 was that I couldn't do this by myself. I really am to "green" to figure out the schedule, nutrition and all the other stuff. I can follow a plan though. So I hired a triathlon coach and this was probably my best move yet. Now training for IMLP is going to require a lot of time and sacrifice as well as patience and understanding by my family. Can't wait to see how this journey progresses, especially with the great people I'll meet along the way! Although triathlon is really popular the communities are relatively small. You often see the same competitors on race day from other races.
What a difference a few healthy years makes. Until next, time, Keep training
on twitter at @1st_marathon
on Facebook at Averageman to Ironman.
