A New Half Ironman

I received an email this morning announcing the inaugural running of Ironman 70.3 Syracuse on September 19, 2010. If you don't know where the hell that is, it's in NY. I grew up about an hour south of there. Am I going to do it? I thought about it for a nanosecond then I saw the entry fee: $250! I imagine that is what the going rate is, I just never bothered to check before; I wasn't going to be doing a half iron this year, so what would be the point? Besides, my pockets aren't that deep. However, There is a lot of time between now and then...who knows. I'd really need to be motivated to do it.

This morning I did a 5k interval run. While I was entering the park I saw a mom from Baby Toots's class who does tri's as well. She was telling me how she did an Oly last week and completely blew the nutrition part, even though she knew better. She imploded on the run: 8:30, 8:30, 8:30, 10:30, 10:30 and "I don't even want to talk about the last mile". The moral? I don't even have to say it, do I? Ok, back to my interval run. I really am no good monitoring my runs: tempo run, endurance run, interval run. I just come up with a mileage, and try to make it to the end in one piece. I understand the wisdom behind these different types of runs, I have never put them into real practice, but now and then. I think this morning might change that.

Can I claim a PR for a training run? My 5k interval run and came in at 27:05 (I heard snickering!). Wow, this interval thing actually speeds up my running (I'll take what little I can get). I think I will do a couple more of these before my race. If I can manage this after the bike (brick on Saturday will determine that), I might actually have a race I can be proud of. Still, big if. Once again, I have no expectations, I'm just going to show up and do the thing.


My Ironman Extreme Body Suit came yesterday. I ordered it off of ebay because I am cheap. I got it for $50 (free shipping!) and it's new with tags; I can't see spending a ton of $$ for one of these if I end up hating it. It looks so small and sad on that big hanger. It also looks like it can't possibly fit, but it does; shocking! I will not model it for you here. You will have plenty of opportunity to laugh at my expense when you read the race report complete with humiliating photos. Until then, I will retain what shred of dignity I still possess. I'll be taking this little beauty to the pool tomorrow for a test drive.

While leaving the park I saw an impossibly thin woman running alternating with speed walking. I swear if she had turned sideways she would have disappeared. When I see women like this I wish I had the ability to give then 10-15 pounds of my own. Although I know she would probably be struck with terror at looking healthy, I, on the other hand, would be thrilled to look healthier. I don't diminish the fact that she may have a disorder, which is probable given the way she was working so hard to keep moving at such a frenetic pace; it was disquieting. Compared with that, I'll keep my extra tonnage.

Peace, out!