Why am I doing this?

I set a goal four years ago to finish a half ironman before I turn 30.  Over the past 4 years I have been very slowly making my way closer to achieving the goal.  I did my first sprint triathlon in May of 2006.  It was a 250 yard pool swim, a 10 mile bike ride and a 3.5 mile run.  I had a great time competing and it helped to cement the idea that I could do a triathlon. I had never run a half marathon so in 2009 I signed up for my first half marathon and finished that.  I did another half marathon in June of 2010.  2010 was also the year that I got on my bike and went further than 10 miles, but as I look back on the year I really wish I would have put in some long rides so I could at least say I know I can finish 56 miles.  In terms of swimming, I suck at it.  I learned to swim at age 20.  Up until then I got away with the doggie paddle.  I have a lot to learn over the fall and winter and the pool is going to become my best friend because I know for sure that right now I am not capable of swimming 1.2 miles. So back to the point, why am I doing this? my time has run out, I’ll be 30 in late 2011, I set a goal and I want to accomplish it.  I want to put in the miles training for it, and get in the best shape I’ve ever been in.  I want to push myself to a level I have never even imagined possible and succeed. I also want to tell 30 I can kick its ass.

Day One: Sign Up

Today starts day one of 10 months of training for my first half ironman.  I forked over $300 for the Timberman 2011 registration.  The fact that it is all coming together means I need to get in shape.  I'm sick, just spent 4 days on the couch, so I won't be doing any actual training today, but I did start to lay out my plan for the next couple months.