I went to the gym this morning to try out the whole 5am swim thing but quickly found the pool doesn’t open until 6am – not really a good start time for me.
I switched up my schedule to lift then swam. I’m not sure what is better: A. Swim then lift while smelling like chlorine or B. Lift and try to swim after you caused yourself to shake like a leaf? Hopefully, I can get over the leaf shaking issue quickly and do option B.
I talked to a friend today who has been dabbling in the world of short course tri’s. She’s a great person who will give you sound advice yet ends it with, “…but you do what you want” and will still support you. Although she did have some valid points - I can be a bit off the cuff. Truth be told, I think long and hard before I jump into something and when I have committed I’ve fully committed.
For the Ironman I thought about this for the past 2 years. Yeah, I should’ve done a few tri’s this year before I jumped in or learned how to swim a little bit better but as I told her I know what my weaknesses are and will be working on them first. I’m not sure if she understands my small case of obsessive compulsiveness (oh stop laughing it’s not that bad) the whole training thing will not be an issue. It’s knowing how to train smart without peaking too early.
A few minutes after I got off the phone with her I got an invite from another who is doing this years Ironman to come meet with her and a few other people to learn more on what I’m getting myself into. During lunch I got the encouragement of my direct supervisor to do it and that I’ll do great – what a great boss!
I know throughout the next 374 days I will encounter many more people who will tell me directly or indirectly my decision is not wise and I’ll also encounter a few that are excited and encouraging. What I’ve learned is a common issue someone has to go through – It has to be the drive within that will get you across the finish line. Nothing else.
