Just a note, incase anyone reads my blog. I was NOT an English Major in college. I was a Music Education major. Yes, I'm sure there will be mistakes in my grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. Thus, you don't need to point it out! I get more than my share, everyday! THANKS!! The journey is mine....one mistake at a time!
Today was the day.....I did it! I signed up to race Ironman Chattanooga 2016. I will be 50 when I get to the starting line. Before last year, I never in my life had a coach or was on an athletic team of any sort! I worked out on and off my adult life, but, I never wanted to sweat too much! Approaching 50, I decided that it was now or never! I didn't like how I looked or felt. It was time to do something about it!
My partners in crime are Shari and Laura. (Shari in the middle - our cheerleader, Laura on the right- the voice of reason and me on the left thinking - WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST SPEND $685 TO DO??? THAT IS A LOT OF SHOPPING!) Shari thought it was a good idea that I join them for this journey. Both of them have more experience doing triathlons, but I guess I'm along for the ride! The journey starts today....well tomorrow. We have a 10 hour drive home back to PA.
Our adventure to Ironman Chattooga started early Friday morning. We made many stops and ate most of way during the 10 hour drive. Some healthy, some not so much! On Saturday, the three musketeer's road 56 miles of the bike course. It rained the entire day and around mile 47 my back started to bother me. Nothing new, but at least I can ride longer and longer without pain! More core strength for me during off season! We met a large group from the Pittsburgh area for an early dinner then off to bed! The day of the race we were up at 4:30AM, excited for the day to begin. After arriving at Rosses Landing, we took a bus to the swim start to check it out and wish the ladies good luck. We road the bus back to Rosses Landing to watch the swimmer come out of the water. One highlight from the race day was when we volunteered as sunscreen appliers. It was amazing to watch the pro's come out of the changing tents from T2 and start the run! I have a new respect for these athletes! The rest of the day we watched and cheered as people ran the 26.2 miles. Deciding we needed to have some appetizers and a drink, we found a great bar that would fulfill out needs! Agreeing that we were not too hungry, we would just share two appetizers. Wrong we were! Two more orders of crab cakes and one order of smoked salmon were needed. It is hard work cheering all day! We then moved to watch the athletes cross the finish line around 10:00PM. Listening to announcer say YOU ARE AN IRONMAN was emotional. Most of the finishers were just ordinary people, with ordinary jobs, trying to see how far they can push their limits. They all worked incredibly hard and achieved their goal. One thing that I did learn that Ironmen come in every age, size, shape and form! They were all inspirations!
The ladies we went to cheer on at Ironman Choo had an amazing race. All finished and became Ironman. Much to learn from their experience. Some good, some bad and some ugly! All of them are roll models for me and I am so proud of everyone of them!!
This journey is going be a roll-a-coaster ride like I have never been on before! There will be a lot of room for failure! My goals will be to get stronger and faster. Hopefully I will be a little leaner and ready to sports a two piece bathing suit with some confidence at 50! I'm going to think of the distance in hours, not miles. My count down on my phone says 11 months and 27days to Ironman Choo! Let the journey begin!
Today was the day.....I did it! I signed up to race Ironman Chattanooga 2016. I will be 50 when I get to the starting line. Before last year, I never in my life had a coach or was on an athletic team of any sort! I worked out on and off my adult life, but, I never wanted to sweat too much! Approaching 50, I decided that it was now or never! I didn't like how I looked or felt. It was time to do something about it!
My partners in crime are Shari and Laura. (Shari in the middle - our cheerleader, Laura on the right- the voice of reason and me on the left thinking - WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST SPEND $685 TO DO??? THAT IS A LOT OF SHOPPING!) Shari thought it was a good idea that I join them for this journey. Both of them have more experience doing triathlons, but I guess I'm along for the ride! The journey starts today....well tomorrow. We have a 10 hour drive home back to PA.
Our adventure to Ironman Chattooga started early Friday morning. We made many stops and ate most of way during the 10 hour drive. Some healthy, some not so much! On Saturday, the three musketeer's road 56 miles of the bike course. It rained the entire day and around mile 47 my back started to bother me. Nothing new, but at least I can ride longer and longer without pain! More core strength for me during off season! We met a large group from the Pittsburgh area for an early dinner then off to bed! The day of the race we were up at 4:30AM, excited for the day to begin. After arriving at Rosses Landing, we took a bus to the swim start to check it out and wish the ladies good luck. We road the bus back to Rosses Landing to watch the swimmer come out of the water. One highlight from the race day was when we volunteered as sunscreen appliers. It was amazing to watch the pro's come out of the changing tents from T2 and start the run! I have a new respect for these athletes! The rest of the day we watched and cheered as people ran the 26.2 miles. Deciding we needed to have some appetizers and a drink, we found a great bar that would fulfill out needs! Agreeing that we were not too hungry, we would just share two appetizers. Wrong we were! Two more orders of crab cakes and one order of smoked salmon were needed. It is hard work cheering all day! We then moved to watch the athletes cross the finish line around 10:00PM. Listening to announcer say YOU ARE AN IRONMAN was emotional. Most of the finishers were just ordinary people, with ordinary jobs, trying to see how far they can push their limits. They all worked incredibly hard and achieved their goal. One thing that I did learn that Ironmen come in every age, size, shape and form! They were all inspirations!
The ladies we went to cheer on at Ironman Choo had an amazing race. All finished and became Ironman. Much to learn from their experience. Some good, some bad and some ugly! All of them are roll models for me and I am so proud of everyone of them!!
This journey is going be a roll-a-coaster ride like I have never been on before! There will be a lot of room for failure! My goals will be to get stronger and faster. Hopefully I will be a little leaner and ready to sports a two piece bathing suit with some confidence at 50! I'm going to think of the distance in hours, not miles. My count down on my phone says 11 months and 27days to Ironman Choo! Let the journey begin!
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