The journey of a lifetime

I finally did it.  After years of stalking watching, cheering and celebrating the accomplishments of my friends and strangers, I did it.  I signed up for Ironman - 140.6 miles (yes, in one day) of fun.  And oddly enough, I am excited.  Really excited.

As with any other seemingly impossible challenge, I have chosen to tackle Ironman the way I do any other endurance event - with Team In Training.  I have set my fundraising goal at $10,000 - I have events in the works, but if you just cannot wait for March Madness or Painting With A Twist, you can donate right now: 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/ironmd15/msupernovi 

No amount is too small, and every single dollar makes a difference.  I am living proof - because of those that have come before me, I am here to do the same for others.  This fall, I will be celebrating 15 years in remission from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  I know that I was given a second chance, and I am not about to waste the years I have been given.

I am currently on Week 5 of Ironman Maryland (IMMD) training.  I am finding it challenging, to put it lightly, to get my workouts done, and it's only going to get more difficult, as the workouts get longer in both intensity and length.  But there are no excuses.  I will find a way.  I WILL ACCOMPLISH MY GOALS.

This week's workouts:

• Monday:  Strength, 30 minutes + Bike, 46 minutes    I did not do these - so Friday will not be a recovery day, lol
• Tuesday:  Run 40 minutes + Swim 30 minutes - This morning I did a 1 hour workout at Camp Gladiator, with is part strength and part cardio.  My butt is toast.  Will either bike tonight, or get to the pool.  
• Wednesday:  Bike 45 minutes, Strength 30 minutes
• Thursday:  Swim 60 minutes, Optional Run 30 minutes
• Friday:  Day off / Active Recovery
• Saturday:  Bike 60 minutes
• Sunday:  Swim 60 minutes, Run 50 minutes

I move things around a bit, because life with an 8 month old is very unpredictable.  Especially with one who refuses to sleep and wants his mama at all times.  Yesterday I decided that I need to find a way to get it done, but if I miss something, it's okay.  Let's be real, here - I am not winning my age group, and I am not qualifying for Kona.  I can barely do a push-up and it is a struggle to keep my runs under 12:00 minutes per mile.  And the bike?  Shoot, I might as well be riding a beach cruiser, I am so slow right now.

This does not mean that I do not have a time goal.  I do, I'm just not quite sure what I will actually decide that will be just yet.  My ultimate goal is to raise $10,000 and finish the race before midnight.  This race isn't just about me - it's about my family, and all of the families that $10,000 will offer rays of hope.  We will find a cure for the cancers that plague so many.  And that, my friends, is what it's all about.  Helping others and making a difference in the ways we are able.

Stay tuned for updates, there will be plenty :)

My running buddy, Lucas

First bike ride of training.  And this is why I live in Florida - no snow and shorts in the middle of winter.  It is as fantastic as it looks, trust me.