I'm a "I Can"

“There are really only two types of people. Those that say ‘I Can’t’ and those that say ‘I Can’.”

I have mentally committed to 1 year of dedication to prepare for 17 hours of pure torture.

First Open Water Swim

Let's just say, I was nervous as hell not because I didn't have the confidence in my abilities to swim .4 miles across the lake and another .4 miles back but what or if I would encounter an animal of some sorts in the water. Yeah, I'm a ninny. I'll scream. Freak out. Maybe even cry. But if I splash around would THEY run away? God I hope so.

As I tugged on the wetsuit for the first time feeling like I was a sea lion pulling on it's skin, I felt like it was my first day of school. My friend's good friend came with, while she was sitting on the beach after she told me I had my suit on backwards and I was struggling to get it on the right way (zipper in the back - good thing because it was choking me) I looked over to her and said "I wish I had my camera so you could take a picture of me." Something I would look back on just to remember the first day.

Before I got into the water I notified them my mom's phone number was in my cell phone and to call her if anything happens. You got to love a mom that's a direct, independent lady that many times the comments she says she doesn't mean in the way it comes out. She said "What the hell would I have done if something would have happened?" As in, don't call me - I can't do anything! Oh mom... :)

We started off and I seemed to get into a grove right away. I was moving along slowly but moving. I was in LOVE with the wetsuit and was instantly sold on my new discovery. I could've swam all day - until...I lost my nose piece. Yeah, my one last crutch to swimming - I can't seem to get past the water jetting up my nose no matter what I do so I have this small piece that will pinch my nose closed.

It slipped off and fell down the drink. Ugh! It was gone.

I was about 2/3 of the way and had to turn back. There was no way I could continue with the feeling of drinking the water though my nose so I flipped over and headed back doing a backstroke the entire way. Good lord - It was a long way back. My friend kept yelling at me "Madonna, your going the wrong way!" Two seconds later, "Madonna, your going in circles." I instantly started to laugh. My manager, an amputee, made a joke one time saying he couldn't go swimming because he would just be going in circles. It was one of those "did you just say what I heard you say" kind of moments.

After we made it back and I peeled the wetsuit off I thought "That was fun. With a little more training - who am I kidding I'll need a lot - I could do an Ironman.

My friend's response was "You shocked me. You weren't scared at all. If you wouldn't have lost that damn nose piece you would have made it back no problem." We made plans to come back the next weekend.

I can't wait.

Should I do the 2011 Wisconsin Ironman?

That has been the question that has been going through my head for the past couple of years and is now what is screaming inside of me.

I don’t know where this came from because 5 years ago I heard the name “Ironman” but didn’t know what it was until I got into cycling and a friend did one – then I found out the distance and thought, “Who would even want to do such a thing…that’s crazy.” but I’ve been going to the Wisconsin Ironman for the past 3 years to cheer on some friends while they complete the most difficult event they have ever done (again) and have learned it’s not only about competition it’s endurance. And endurance is my thing.

Everytime I go to watch I get a little emotional during the start and the end of the race. When the gun goes off and they start the swim the first thing that goes though my mind every year is “This is a huge moment in their lives. They have been putting themselves though mental and physical pain for the past 365 days for this moment.” And many hours later when they cross the finish line I think, “They just spent x hours beating themselves up but this has got to be one of the biggest moments of their lives and I was hear to witness it.”

What I’ve been thinking about is: I want to have that moment. I want to have all my friends there cheering me on while I cross the finish line with the loud dance music and the announcer saying “MADONNA, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!” The thought of that moment is overwhelming.

Here is the deal; I know I have the drive. I know I have the dedication to train. But, I don’t have the experience of a tri.

I tossed together a few points of argument.

• I’ve done a Du-athlon (run-bike-run) and enjoyed the event. I can honestly say after it was complete I would do anther one.
• The bike will not be an issue - I do long distance now.
• The run will be hard but I’ve done a marathon. Before and after the event was done I said I would do another one, but honestly it was my test to see if I could do a marathon and enjoyed it, would I be willing to do a Ironman.
• The swim is my downfall. I just learned how to swim this past fall. I figured I would train hard in this area, get more comfortable in the water for a longer period of time and I heard the wetsuit will be a big plus and help keep me be buoyant. Or so what I’ve heard—I’ve never used one before or have swam in open waters with 2,000 other people.

I’ve asked a number of people “Should I” and I get the same response. 1. Yes, you have the endurance to do this type of event. 2. Why don’t you take 2011 and do short tri’s first before you jump into this (valid point). 3. Why the hell would you want to do one – that is not for me.

And if you know me you would be thinking something either long those lines but I’ve never been a rational person in participating in events. Once I get my mind set on something and I know I can do it there is no stopping me. For example, my first bike race was 100 miles, my first official running event was a marathon…why not have my first tri be an Ironman?

I’ve read the chapter “Can I do it” in “Going Long” by Joe Friel and he states:

Anyone can do the distance if they want it badly enough…One is never “ready” for an ironman-distance race. The event is far too big for that. However, we firmly believe that anyone (and we mean anyone) can complete the distance so long as they have one ingredient: will. The will to train and, most important of all, the will to finish. You have to be doing this for yourself. You have to want to finish, badly…To race to your true potential, you have to gamble. You have to believe in yourself. You have to go beyond what you think is possible.

Many athletes wait until they have the confidence that they can race the full distance the way they want to before committing to a race. Others arrive at the start line with little experience and have a positive experience—regardless of their finishing time. There are even people who finish at the front of the pack and don’t have a positive experience.

So how do you know you are ready to go long? You don’t. You commit, train and pray.

After reading that section, I thought…I might not be ready today but I have the drive and the will to train hard and to finish the event.

Now do I have the courage to register?