Wow, kinda weird to be back here…haven’t written since the day after the race.
I’ve had 2 weeks to recover, think, ponder, ruminate, chill, contemplate, and believe you me, that’s all I’ve BEEN doing…
I’m going to issue this disclaimer first and foremost: I will make the Final Decision on this matter in the fall, after the kids are dispersed to their appropriate places for the next year, and I am more centered and stabilized myself. Having said that, let me say that I think I have every intention of training for, and competing in, an Ironman Triathlon. That may seem surprising after having read the Half-Iron blog, but in spite of everything that happened in that event, I’m still driven to attempt the Big One.
I’ve got to do a lot of soul-searching and web-surfing to find just the right race…New Zealand in Jan 2010? Napa? Vegas? The year must be 2010 (the year I turn 50), and I’m seeking a non-ocean race (see Half-Iron blog, non-gill H20 aspiration), and I’m shooting for any possibility of one of the kids being able to be there. (Again, see Half-Iron blog for Importance of Children Present).
I will continue to minimally train through the summer, such as it is. Daughter Amy is participating in her first triathlon a week from Saturday, the sprint Tri in Tullahoma, and I’ll do that one as well. Then there’s the Olympic in Chattanooga in July, and I think I’ll do Tennessee’s Half-Iron in September (at Oak Ridge…maybe I’ll develop gills in the lake by the nuclear reactor before the swim’s end). I’d like to Iron by May, since summer is busy with kids, etc., but that may not work…I’ve got all of 2010 to get it done.
I swam, ran, and biked with Amy this past week, as well as strength-trained with Sam (is there anything better than training with your kids?). We’re headed to California for a week to see her school (Humboldt State University), and we’ll bring our running/swimming gear. We’ll also swing through Napa and Sonoma counties on the way, and the Redwoods too. Life is good.
Thanks for reading…I know this has been a long ordeal, and it looks to continue…let me know your own goals, dreams, aspirations, desires, hopes…you inspire me with your journey. Life is an adventure, and every moment counts (brought to you by Trite Expressions and Accepted Dogma…I’ll do better next time). Too much Blue Moon at the pizza place to think more deeply than that.
Looking forward breathlessly to the future…..
Happy. Healthy. Heathen. 
May 27, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Gayle, this may be my favorite picture…what I see is abandon. David and I have a saying hanging in our RV that reads “play with abandon” – it is actually a wine bottle hanger. We rarely have to be reminded of this when we are in the RV…perhaps it should be moved to the office.
Where you find RAGBRAI an event to relax and let your hair down on…David and I see it as an event to train for. That is what we are joyfully doing with our every spare moment. We ordered our first nice road bikes and tingle with anticipation to get them and get on them. We are still riding the hybrids (mine is a Specialized and David’s a Raleigh) we bought around 15 years ago. Someone at the bike store was quite iimpressed that we did a century ride on our old hybrids.
As far as my “triathlon” of doctoral study goes, I completed yet another course earlier this month and started my next one shortly thereafter. I’m planning on sending a manuscript for publication consideration by Friday. I find that the discipline I use with cycling aids my study and vice versa. I’ve become quite proficient at mind games when I feel I can’t keep at it one more minute!
Please tell Amy “atta girl” for her triathlon event coming up soon. Love to all of your precious ones. Never underestimate the ripples you create that touch so many. Renée
May 27, 2009 at 10:54 pm
So is there a decision here to make? You are already training throughout the summer, you are in amazing shape, and we both live by the mantra “no regrets”! If you were a rookie at this stuff- that would be another story- but you have been building up to this- why not? Kids will be dispersed over multiple states & continents- and you’ll have a new goal to set your sights on!
How cool is it to be in such awesome shape at 50- you’re not trying to set the world record time- it’s all about accomplishment. You are such an inspiration- so glad you’re my friend!