The plan

About that Ironman thing ... hmm. This is a major decision with a lot of ramifications, and I've given it a lot of thought. While in some respects it's a life-altering project, in other respects - hey, it's just another triathlon, right?

My current plan is yes, to have someone register me for Ironman Florida 2006 while I'm in the New York City Marathon. I'm not totally getting my heart set on IMFL, because of the vagaries of registration - it won't be in my direct control, it's a popular event, and it's quite possible that a lot of people who hope to do it may not get in.

If that happens, most likely I'll target another iron-distance event next fall as an alternative. There are several to choose from, but the easiest logistically for me would be Chesapeakeman.

My objectives? No, I'm not going to worry about my times for my first attempt at an iron-distance triathlon, other than making darned sure that I can beat the cutoffs. That would be getting the proverbial cart before the horse. "To finish is to win", and becoming an Ironman is a big enough project without cluttering it up with time concerns and a zillion subordinate and perhaps contradictory goals. Best to keep it simple.

My non-quantifiable ultimate goals for the next year are these:

• Train intelligently and effectively for an iron-distance triathlon while keeping my life in balance with my other responsibilities.
• Get to the starting line in the fall of 2006 in the best shape of my life.
• Enjoy the race day as a celebration of my training.

Notice how it doesn't say: swim leg x:xx, bike leg y:yy, run leg z:zz and cross the finish line by whatever:whatever? Or that I'll weigh 110 pounds or look just like Karen Smyers or bench press double my body weight? Those are incidentals and performance outcomes that are not within my direct personal control.

Precisely how my ultimate goals will be translated into concrete, objective, quantifiable subsidiary objectives in a sensible, logical, and progressive training plan will be detailed in a future post. Said plan will be written some time after I get my 2006 laminated wall calendar and mark it up with three or four different colors of Sharpies.

Fifty weeks of training begins November 21, 2005. And I'll need every week of it. An off-season? Not for me, not unless I want to have a off race.

But before then, I have to get the utility room remodeling done. And change a couple of diapers. And oh yeah, before I forget, finish another marathon and spend another week in a motor home.