The Heart Wants What it Wants . . . and My Heart Wants an Ironman!

Me in my favorite triathlon trucker hat.
John Robert said, "Mom, trucker hats are for
truckers and young people.  Which one
do you think applies to you?"

I can't believe I've been swimming, biking, and running for 18 months. When I put myself on a two year plan until my first Ironman, it seemed so far away!  

Today, I have 48 days until Half Ironman Chattanooga and 174 days until my first Full Ironman!

I currently swim twice a week, up to 4,000 yards per session. I cycle 2-3 times per week, with a high of 75 miles per ride so far. Running is easiest-- I run 3-4 times per week, with a long run of 15 miles. Yoga and injury prevention exercises twice a week help keep my joints and muscles happy. My heart and mind are happy, too.  So far . . . So Good! 

Every once in a while you find a book
that helps you really make important
changes.  Thank you, Whole 30.

And though it may seem a minor thing, I'm pleased to have lost 12 pounds so far this year.  It took a lot of experimentation, but I finally found what works best for my body.  I have given up many of my formerly favorite foods, but I love feeling energetic, strong, and lean. Other side effects of my dietary changes have been: deeper sleep, better moods, healthier skin, and faster recovery after training.  Hurray!

But thoughts do cross my mind . . . These thoughts pull me out of bed early in the morning to do my training.  Am I ready? Am I strong enough?  I know I won't win . . . not even an age group award; but I want to finish well before the cutoff time.  I don't want to see DNF beside my name (Did Not Finish). 

An unexpected benefit of my training:
The boys volunteered with me at the Frosty 5K,
a run supported by members of my cycling group.

I'm tremendously grateful to my husband for being my support crew. He didn't know what he was in for when I first told him my dream.  He was thinking only of the ridiculous cost of Ironman events, not the major time commitment and support I would need. 

Denver and pals at a recent swim meet.

The journey to Ironman has had unintended benefits, too. My youngest son has become a dedicated and fast swimmer and triathlete. John Robert helped me learn to swim fearlessly in open water as I followed his steady, flawless stroke across the lake last summer.  

My incredibly strong eldest son
swimming anchor leg
in the 200m freestyle relay.

Spencer runs with me on occasion; more importantly, he is openly supportive of my goals.  My dear husband has begun biking with me nearly every Saturday. We've met some very nice people through our cycling group whom we might otherwise never have known.  All of these things are wonderful.

John and I riding the Arabia Mtn Trail last Saturday.
John only wanted to do 20, but didn't bring his GPS watch,
so I tricked him into riding 36!

However, I still don't know why Ironman calls to me.  It isn't anything I can explain-- even to myself.  Maybe that is how dreams are. They call to something so deep within our hearts that we cannot even name the source.  As Emily Dickenson wrote and Selena Gomez stole, "the heart wants what it wants...".

Denver enjoys wearing my medals
and imagining they are his!

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive.  I could not chase my dreams without you!
Dad and Mom (who support me even when they don't approve!)
John (who knows the grouchy me)
Boys 1, 2, & 3
and bike man, Mike Besaw

Spencer and I ran the Cheerios Challenge
last year.  He and Denver are going
to do it again this year!

Denver learning from our bike man,
Mike Besaw, how to change a tire.