NEW!!! allthingstriathlon.com Launch

For all of you who haven't already signed up on our website, and did not see the email sent out, please check this out. It's a quick 4 questions survey and we could really use your help!!

http://ironshane.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-wwwallthingstriathloncom.html

Getting Real

Doing an Ironman is scary enough. But I also hate flying, and I just booked my flight to Idaho (well, Spokane). So I'm feeling stressed about that. Yes, I'm one of those irrational people who thinks that if click on the wrong flight I'm sealing my fate and and could be booking my way into a plane crash.

Every little thing is starting to make this whole Ironman thing more and more "real". With all of the training we have to do, we STILL need to plow through the logistics of planning a vacation. I freak out packing for a "relaxing" vacation; what am I going to be like the night before THIS trip?!!

Scaring Myself

It has been a LONG time since I have piled on mileage like this. In fact I really DIDN'T do mileage like this for my first Ironman. I was working full-time, my daughter was seven years old, and her dad (and I use the term loosely) tried to sabotage my long runs/rides on the weekends by staying out late and crawling in at dawn. Yes, the whole point was to keep me awake all night wondering where he was and who he was with.

I did the Ironman anyway...last in my age group, but still under 15 hours.
I gutted it out and used my endurance-memory from BC (before child) days to pull me through.

Now my daughter is grown, virtually on her own (not financially), I have a husband who supports me wholly and fully for this upcoming race, and I am working part time.

I have a nice bike (finally), and enough money for other gear and race-type nutrition.

Funny how when everything is in place like that wonderful things begin to happen.

For one, I am fooling my mind and body into thinking I am 28 years old again, when I was running high mileage and doing centuries on the weekend (just for fun).

In the pool I am keeping up with my husband and am even getting faster on the bike. Where I once climbed behind him up the hills, I am now along-side.

Running I am still leery of because I can injure easily. Upping the mileage SLOWLY, SLOWLY, SLOWLY! A few years ago I would have laughed if you told me I would run Catalina again. (Even though it was "only" the half marathon-it's a butt kicker!)

I am eating and sleeping well for the most part. Haven't caught any illness this year (yet...knock on wood), and things are clicking....

It's scary when things are finally falling into place and going "right".
Fun, but scary!

Time To Start A War

I have decided it is time to start causing some trouble. Starting a war of words. And possibly, eating my words at the end of a long day in Coeur D'Alene.

Why am I doing this...

Well...I have been drinking this morning!!!

Ok, not really, but I have been drinking this...

There is a whole community of bloggers going to Ironman Coeur D'Alene who have formed a great community online (HERE) and some of them might need to be put in their place.

For starters: Bigun and Taco Night (I mean Taconite) Boy have a great podcast, but are starting to become celebrities and may need to be brought down from their "pyramid-shaped" planet. Blink140.6, on that podcast talked about how us "young" kids can't hold up against those "older" guys. Tri-Dummy started the "Bling" controversy and I have officially decided that Greyhound is to good a writer and is making the rest of us "bloggers" look bad. Not to mention the rest of you... OVERACHIEVERS

SO THERE...

I will be calling one of you out and starting a war of words on the blogs, on the podcasts and not to mention while I am on my own out training in the frigid Boston weather.

Ok peoples, lets play!!!

Cheers,

T-Guy J

p.s.- I almost forgot, I still love all you guys and can't wait to meet you all up in Idaho.

IM CDA 08 Changes

Ironman CDA has been designated as the "North American Championship", a designation which was previously held by Ironman Lake Placid.

As a result of this designation, both male and female professionals will be competing at the same time this year for an increased prize purse.

Ironman CDA previously alternated men’s and women's pro fields with Ironman Wisconsin.

The Pro Division will start the race at 6:25 a.m. this year. Age groupers will start at the regular time of 7:00 a.m.

Well, it is good to know that there will be some competition out on the course this year. I would not want to think that there would be no one to push us a bit as we race.

Thanks for visiting.

Need a Hotel Room?

My parents have pretty much told me that there is no way they will be able to make the trip to Coeur d'Alene in June.

I reserved 2 hotel rooms for 6/19-6/24 at the Guesthouse Coeur d'Alene. Not my first choice hotel, but there was nothing left when I was looking last year. The price is about $100-$115 per night.

All of the hotels are booked for the Ironman, so if you or your family still need a place to stay let me know. I will be cancelling the hotel room unless someone needs a place to stay.

Iron Eric
ergr_123@hotmail.com

Local Bike Shop Recommendation

For those who are considering shipping their bikes to a local bike shop for set up in preparation for IM CDA I suggest you consider CycleMetrics. The proprietor is Jim Kozak and his email is cyclemetrix@aol.com. His phone is 208-755-6324.

Jim is a very nice, extremely knowledgeable bike expert, his shop is on the IM CDA bike course and is a short ride from the CDA Resort. He usually sets up some pro bikes with the same services that you maybe looking for.

He will treat you right.

Take care and keep rocking!