I have decided to blog about my experience training for my first Half-Ironman Triathlon (race day, October 2, 2011, Pocono Mountains). Hopefully this will keep me accountable.
To begin, why the hell am I doing a half-Ironman?? It all started way back...almost a long time back. My older brother Patrick moved to Hawai'i a number of years ago. As time passed, he began getting involved in the local running, and eventually triathlon scene. He was hooked. His first marathon was the Honolulu marathon, Dec 2001. What a great sight, watching him cross that finish line. I thought he was crazy.
A few years later, he was racking up the triathlon races in Kona. He qualified for the Ford Ironman World Championships in 2004, by placing in the top 3 in his age group at the Honu Triathlon that June. I immediately booked my ticket to Kona for that October.
As inspiring as watching Patrick cross the finish in Honolulu was, watching him cross the finish in Kona that October evening was, by far, the proudest moment of my life. I cried as I draped the finishers lei around his neck and helped him to the medical tent, along with my parents, sister and other brother.
That was my inspiration. I figured, shit, if Patrick can start this extreme way of life in his mid-late 30s, so can I!!
February 2008. Decision made. I'm going to do my first triathlon in June. Training starts tomorrow. Tomorrow comes. I can't get out of bed. Not for lack of motivation, but for lack of physical ability to move the upper right side of my body. The pain was excruciating. Shit! I'm supposed to go swimming. Instead, the call is made to my doctor, who then orders xrays and MRIs...Herniated disc at C6/7. Not good. A few months of physical therapy and a epidural shot later, no progress. The decision is made. I have to have neck surgery.
May 2008. As it so happens, the day I had my surgery was the same day that Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer. This of course was the first thing my mother told me when I woke up from surgery. Very sad news. Kept me from thinking about me. Four miserable days in the hospital, two months in a hard neck brace, three months off of work, and months of therapy later.. I decide. I'm doing that damn triathlon.
May 2009. One year to the date of my release from the hospital after neck surgery, I finish my first sprint triathlon! Tri For Our Veterans in Sea Isle City, NJ. The ocean water was a brisk 57 degrees (I think they were being generous with that report), but that is why some very smart person invented the wetsuit! The bike was flat and fast. The run, on the beach. Not so much fun, but I was (and still am) determined.
The best part, other than finishing, having mom and dad there to Cheer me on, and calling my brother in Hawaii at 9am east coast time to tell him I finished!
That was it. I was hooked.
2010 season.... came and went with some finished races and some not finished races due to injury. But I was happy. The best was racing in Mt. Gretna, PA where my family has been gathering for over 60 years. Super special race... and HILLY!! Who knew Amish Country in central PA was that hilly... good thing I live close and was able to scout and ride the course before race day.
2011 season. Here we go.... after deciding to compete in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains, the seemingly inevitable happened. Dec 4, 2010 I was hit by a car while walking along a sidewalk. Nearly 5 months of therapy and shoulder surgery later, I am starting the training process from what feels like ground zero. Dammit if the idiot who hit me is going to keep me from reaching my goals!
Thanks for stopping by... and Keep moving..
-Megan
