I can't even begin to tell you how great I feel about my decision to go ahead and register for Ironman Florida. Based on the anxiety I was feeling leading up to it, I didn't think I'd feel so calm about my decision once it was done. But now that I know I made the commitment, there's nothing left to do but prepare myself.
I mentioned the other day that I knew there would be a lot of sacrifices along the way with this training. And more importantly, I'm ready and willing to make them. One thing I knew I was going to have to give up in 2012 was my marathons. Not that I personally believe there's anything wrong with running marathons while you're in IM training, if you can handle that, more power to you. But based on the past year and half with my Achilles, I know I can't over do it and running a bunch of marathons in a year on top of IM training constitutes overdoing it. Getting to the start line of IMFL as healthy as possible is my main goal and even though it's a year away, I'm already thinking about that.
Which brings me to my first sacrifice....I will not be racing Reggae marathon. I will be running it, and running it with effort, but I will not be going for a PR or my goal of 3:30. I put in the hard weeks of training for my goal, but the fact that my Achilles "talks to me" from time to time, I'm going to play it safe. Last year I went into Shamrock feeling great and while I finished with a PR, I also finished with a bulging Achilles and not sure if I'd be able to run Boston. I'm bummed and torn with my decision, but I think it's the right one. At this point I just don't feel like I can take any chances and risk being sidelined. Geesh, now that I'm making this official, I'm more bummed than I thought. I want that 3:30 marathon time; sub 3:30 actually, really bad. But I want to be an Ironman even more...
Tomorrow is my last long run, 22 miles, then I start to taper. This training has gone so fast and I'm really happy with where I'm at considering I jumped right in after the 70.3. I had a minor rough spot at the very beginning but the past 7-8 weeks have been great. Even though I may not be going for the 3:30, training for that finish time got me back to where I wanted to be with my paces and that's something I want to keep through IM training.
I can't believe I am talking about IM training. Crazy.
8 comments:
Smart thinking about marathon running. Achilles is one whiny tendon, very difficult to heal (trust me I know).
Have fun training for your IM.
Sounds like the right decision. I know it'll be hard to be there and not racing, but it'll pay off next November.
More importantly, what are your goals for philly? :)
Smart plan.
One of my friends did Ironman Florida last weekend...I cannot wait to hear all about it when we see him tomorrow.
Happy training!
You are smart. And you know that. And you know the smart decisions are usually the toughest ones.
PS- I have four or five close friends who have done IM Florida- and two who are training for 2012. My team does train in Philly somtimes...just saying :)
I can't believe you are talking about IM training either. AMAZING. You have what it takes, I know it.
Sounds like the right call on Reggae. Why take a chance now? You have a very big year ahead of you.
wow I am really surprised to hear that since you have been building to it for so long, but what that tells me is man you really want this IM and that is awesome!!!!!!!
Good luck!
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