I may not be an Ironman but...

I'll be a ChesapeakeMan.

In 2004/2005 I topped the scales around the 200s. The exact number is unknown because... simply put, with what I saw in the mirror I never cared to know what the number was.
I was big.

In my journey to lose the weight, I started to run... and I kept running. You could call me a runner, but if you do, please call me an endurance runner. My speed work is shy of embarrassing.
Nonetheless, for me, I always pictured being able to do a full triathlon... an IRONMAN distance, to be the 'ultimate' level of being fit, and that - in turn - became my ultimate goal. A dash on my bucket list. Never again wanting to be that girl pictured above, I've worked hard over the years to slim down, tone up, and eat right. Always in the back of my mind was my goal - always wanting to do it, but always being to shy to start.

Over the last few months though, certain things have fallen into place to finally push me to swim, bike, run and to finally sign up for a triathlon. First.. an International in April.... an International in May... and a Half in June. A good start to my goal.

Aside from physical training, there is mental training. With this, I've been reading books.. books that follow the 'average joes' who take on the task of training for, and completing, a full Ironman. The more I read, the more confidence I gain in knowing that I can, one day, do that.

Except there is one thing that you must understand about me. I have a 'go big or go home' type of personality... and I want to go big. I want to go the distance.. I want to go now.

Today is January 2nd. Two days ago I listed out my resolutions.
- Be more social.
- Sign up for an Ironman [with the race being in 2013]

Last night I went bowling with a bunch of people I didn't know - great start. After crawling into bed at 2am I was beyond elated that I didn't have to set my alarm. I was ready to sleep in... 10 o'clock.. 11 o'clock... what the hell, I could sleep until 3 if I wanted to.. and trust me, I wanted to.

... 8:30... seriously? although when you wake up at 4am everyday, I suppose 8:30 is sleeping in.

Laying in bed, cursing in my head about how so very badly I wanted to be asleep, I did what any person would do. I rolled over, grabbed my smartphone... and checked facebook.

No one else in their right mind is up before 8am if you don't have to work, so the news feed was pretty slim on the social updates for the morning except one. One that not only popped out, but leaped out of my phone, through the screen and slapped me right across the face waking me up even more.

Remember that go big or go home personality?
Well, I was already home... and I had a half hour to try to talk myself out of it... and believe me I tried. Although I believe that I can do the distance by September... can I actually do the distance by September? Money will be tight.... It takes a lot of time.... You haven't even done a Sprint triathlon.
I even texted my friend/trainer at the gym [Steve] and asked him if he thought I could be ready by then.

Perhaps waking up at 8:30 to see that post right before registration opened was a sign... or perhaps I just had an overwhelming sensation to use the restroom... [TMI??] who knows. But this is what I do know.

I'm not going to be an "Ironman"... but I will be a "ChesapeakeMan" on September 29, 2012.

Steve didn't answer me back right away, but when he did, he told me he thought I could do it. I told him:
"I was hoping you'd say that... because I signed up"

With all the ways I could talk myself out of it, there were more things talking me into it.
Aside from it being a bucket list item . . . my ultimate goal....
... This race is in Maryland. It is easier to get to, I can go to the course and train on it, AND it allows for more people to come support me :D :D :D [and I know you all are marking it on your calendar right now].
It is cheaper than an official Ironman series race.
There are significantly a lot less people in this race.
And if... IF.. something happens, they refund over half your money [unlike others]

So lets recap:
2012 resolutions.
- Be more social (check)
- Sign up for an ironman distance triathlon (check)
.... This year is looking pretty promising.

.... Now off to train for 2.4 mi swim, 112 bike, 26.2 mile run ... and I'm taking you along for the ride.. and swim.. and run...