Ironman Training Begins!

Ironman training officially began on December 26 and what better way to do it than with the Boxing Day 10 Miler in Hamilton.  Next to the Around the Bay, it is probably my favourite race.  I had a goal in mind with this race and I really wanted to PB it.  I figured I could take at least five minutes off my best time, so I went to my trusty website (www.coolrunning.com) to figure out exactly what pace I needed to run to reach my goal.  There's a pace calculator link on that website.  If you've never used it before, try it!  It helped me figure out the pace I needed to run my sub-2:00 half marathon in November and it helped me achieve my last goal.  I'm happy to say that I was able to bust out a personal best by 10 minutes.   The best part was seeing the rest of our huge gang blast through the course and have their own PB's.  It was a great day.  Topping it off was going to the pub with everybody after and getting a free beer when you show them your race bib!  How awesome is that!?!

Now, running a 10 mile race for the start of Ironman training is a little unorthodox when you don't need to do that distance, but what the heck, it's great fun and I got to work off all that extra Christmas cheer I packed on over the weekend.  I have a huge Italian family so that always means lots and lots and lots of food. 

So, Ironman.  Now, I need to get down to business.  I'm not overwhelmed just yet because the distances and time commitment aren't too intense.  I'll probably speak about that in a few months when it gets harder to get in the workouts when my commute to work takes me almost an hour and a half each way.  This means reeeaaallly early morning workouts and also evening workouts -- in the same day.  There may even be days where I'll have to do three workouts.  Ugghh!  So in the spirit of my being accountable, I have done two runs this week.  I was supposed to swim last night, but bailed.  I can say it was because Christmas is exhausting; we had friends over for lunch, which necessarily included wine, and my legs were tired, but those are excuses.  This means I need to get in the pool for sure this week, maybe even tomorrow morning.  I will be teaching a spin and core class tonight and since I'm teaching, there's no getting out of that.  Not that I want to.  I love this group and we always have a lot of fun -- especially the whimpering during core class (okay, that's usually my husband).  I have another bike workout, swim and run to do on the weekend.  Should be interesting, given that it's New Year's weekend, but I'm committed and will get it done!

Oh, I forgot to mention I got the BEST Christmas present.  Garmin has come out with a new triathlon watch, the 910XT, and as soon as it's in stock, it will be in my sweaty hands!!  I didn't even know this thing was on the market so happy surprise to me!  Here's a photo:

Hope everyone made some happy memories during this holiday season.  Wishing the new year brings lots of joy, happiness, success and lasting friendships.

Ability is what you are capable of doing-
Motivation determines what you do-
Attitude is how well you do it!

First Blog Ever....

I'm starting this blog more to be accountable to myself in my training for IM Lake Placid.  I've started reading a book entitled "You Are an Ironman" by Jacques Steinberg, and the athletes that he's following are either writing blogs or have journals.  I used to be pretty committed about logging my workouts, but in between starting a new business, still working my other full-time job and training, that went by the wayside.  No more!  Serious training begins December 26 -- and I'll start that with a local Boxing Day 10-Miler race that is tough, but awesome!  Providing all goes well and I stay healthy, I want a personal best.  I'll let you know how that goes.

If I suck at this blog thing, let me know and tell me what I should/shouldn't be doing.