The journey to Ironman

This journey to my first Triathlon began in 2010 and now the journey is on to a full Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run). I would like to accomplish this goal in 2014. I wrote about needing a bigger challenge this year and was contemplating signing up for the Ironman 70.3 in Augusta. I am still  thinking about signing up for that race, but my journey took an unexpected turn today. I have always said that I don't have the desire to run a full marathon until I compete in my first full Ironman. So, the plan was to not run a full marathon until next year.Yeah, that was the plan.

Well, with all the hype today about the Marine Corp Marathon registration opening and the trouble that folks went through with registering peaked my interest. I started to think about how awesome it was to run through Crystal City with Tracy last year and to run across the finish line with her and somehow, the desire set in to register. After Lisa wrote on Facebook that she got in, I wandered over to the site and discovered that it was sold out. I was bummed. Totally bummed. I made the mistake decision to share this feeling with my dear, sweet friend Tania, who immediately emailed me a link to a charity that I could race with. The only thing is that I had to raise $500 by October. Without even thinking about it, I was signing up and calling Dawn to tell her that I was signing her up too. So, it's done. I am running a marathon. I AM RUNNING A FULL FREAKING MARATHON! I still can't believe it!!

I do need your help. I have to raise $500 for the charity that I am racing with, Team America 4R Marines.  This organization is operated with 100% volunteer management and 98.6% of funds go directly to our Marines and Sailors. No donation is too small and all donations are 100% tax deductible. You can donate here. Please and thank you!!

Thanks for your support on my Triathlon journey. If I do the Augusta 70.3 Ironman (I will make the decision on my birthday. It may be an expensive personal gift), it will be 1 month before the Marine Corp Marathon. I am thinking that this is a good idea on my journey to a full Ironman triathlon.

I'm not sure how I became an addict, but today confirmed that I am. Lord help me.


Tri Becca

The heart of the matter

I was out cheering at the Rock and Roll DC Marathon and 1/2 Marathon today and this runner screamed "HEY TRI BECCA!!!". That made me realize that I have been slacking on the blogging lately. Back at it.....

So far this year, I have run the New Orleans Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon, been on two 25 mile bike rides and only been in the pool about 5 times. I have been lacking the motivation to do anything until my Team PHLY tri suit showed up for the Tri Rock Philly Olympic Distance Triathlon from Philly Joe last week. I heard a few seams popping as I tried it on, which made me immediately call my girl to get signed up for some kick ass boot camp classes and schedule some rides/swims/runs with friends. Oh yeah, I'm BACK now!

I am really itching to do another Ironman 70.3 this year. I just know that with proper training, I can get a 6 hour finish time. I have my eyes on Augusta in September. I'm starting to feel like I need to have at least 1 real challenge on the schedule this year to help keep my sanity. I simply love overcoming obstacles and meeting my goals. Perhaps taking a year off from paying for any races is a bit extreme and most importantly, detrimental to my psyche. I decided to not pay for any races and redirect those funds to other things... but I don't want the other things to have to include a trip to sit on somebody's velvety couch. So, I may have to alter the plan. Cutting the triathlon, travel and entertainment budget is driving me kinda wacky. I need to have at last one of these things to look forward to. I am grateful for Dawn and Philly Joe for signing me up for the 1/2 marathon and Olympic Triathlon and to those that have hooked me up with free entries to some other running races. The thing is, I really want to do another Ironman 70.3. I really need the physical and mental challenge of doing another Ironman 70.3 this year. What's life if you are not "TRI-ing" to be better? That's the question that looms in my mind when I take the challenge of Triathlon out. Sure, I could find a different challenge, but I choose Triathlon. It's at the heart of the matter.  It's like TRIATHLON is woven into my DNA and is an integral part of who I am now. I will start to look at some financial options to make it happen. I have some close family in Georgia, so the Augusta Ironman 70.3 may be a reality.

Stay tuned... oh, and that New Orleans Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon 3 weeks ago? That was the hardest race to date, due to some hip pain. I finished and got a pretty medal, but it's still painful to even think about that race.

Tri Becca