Ironman Arizona Reflections

It's been awhile now since IM Arizona. Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is only three weeks away. Since my little Tempe adventure I have not really been working out and I am enjoying a little break from triathlon life. By now I have also had time to think more about the race, the time leading up to my first Ironman; I have had a chance to tell most people who care to listen and who want to know about it, and probably told a few who really could not care less.

So, what if anything did or does it all mean to me? Well, I am glad it is over and I am glad I made it. Happy that I made it in a time I am proud of and happy with. I know that with more training I would probably have done even a little better, but that more training would have meant more time away from family. Gladly I sacrifice a few minutes on the bike or run.

I had fun, in a strange and slightly weird way. I hated being very nervous the days before the race. I mostly enjoyed race day itself, felt fine for most of the day and almost forgot already the pain and suffering during parts of the run. This Ironman did demand everything I had to give. It forced me to go to my limit but never once allowed me to go anywhere near it really.

I did fine, relying on five years of triathlon expertise and sticking to my game plan, my eating and drinking plan. I did fine by listening to friends and IM veterans and reading race reports. I did fine despite my time limitations and lack of real training plan.

I think the thousands of volunteers in Tempe were awesome. They made the day special for everyone. At times I felt that any triathlon before Ironman was part of the minor leagues, IM finally the big leagues. I know it aint so though, competing and completing an Ironman is an accomplishment, but being accomplished and getting faster in another distance is just as worthy a goal.