They say be careful and take your time. And I feel like I am. But, my comeback is urgent. In order to keep my name on the list for Kona WC, I have to complete an Ironman this year! The great news is that my team knows this. My family knows it. My surgeon knew it going in. My physical therapist knows this. My training buddies know this. They are all keeping me in check. They don’t let me get cocky.
But, my goal is a big one and I am scared. I’ve signed up for Ironman Florida in November. And, as the weeks post-surgery add up and the weeks until the event count down…..I get a little anxious.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way. I’ve maintained enough fitness for so long that I was essentially Ironman-ready year-round. I’ve never really taken a huge break like this. I have never come to a complete stop. My winter off-season was usually full of swimbikerun. My swim routine with the YDUBTRICLUB got me up and at’em on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30am for 3000-4000 yard swims. The annual Tour of Sufferlandria in February would prompt me to get on my bike trainer in December and January. My Disney ultras in 2020 and 2022 always had me on a regular run schedule.
I would cut back, but never stop. I believe in the ad that says: a body in motion stays in motion. I like to maintain. I like consistency. I don’t like the stop-start.
This has been a stop-start. I am starting over. It is scary and daunting. I’m trying to use it to my advantage. I keep thinking of a text to my friend Melissa early on: I am using this time to start over. That kind of challenge is kind of exciting.
I am trying to reframe this as a fresh start. I feel like a newbie again. I am using the knowledge that I’ve gained from 10 years of iron-distance races to my very first race! So….here we go!