Thursday, August 4, 2011

Ironman Coeur d'Alene


So the guy who has used the word "IF" quite a bit in the last few months (as in "IF" he was going to do a long course race 2012) will now be using the word "WHEN" instead. I registered for Ironman Coeur d'Alene today, which will take place on June 24th, 2012 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

You might recall that I was using the word "IF" because even though the idea of doing a long course race was appealing, I honestly didn't know if it was right for me. I was worried about becoming obsessed by it and I was worried about having the time to train. And though I am still worried about becoming obsessed and having the time time to train, I've realized that if I don't give it a try I will come to regret that decision. A cycnic would call this a "lose/lose situation", but I'd prefer to call it a win. As Richard Branson would say, "Screw it, let's do it!"

By the way, I decided about a month ago in concept but didn't start admitting this to myself or anyone else until the beginning of this week. Also, I've not yet done my first 70.3 yet. This will happen in about 5 weeks on September 11th. I find it a little bit ironic that the guy who spent so much time making this decision is currently in this situation. Hopefully I'll like the 70.3.

Originally, I was thinking a race late in the year would be best. I was going to try for Ironman Arizona and use Ironman Florida as a back-up. But then I got to thinking - since I'll be doing the California 70.3 in April, why don't I just keep going? I'll still start a new training program somewhere at the beginning of December, and California will now be a nice long training day about 2/3rd's of the way through the schedule.

I'll start thinking about the details soon, but for the moment I'm happy to be equal parts excited and terrified for what lay ahead.

I should thank two people for helping me make this decision whether or not they realize their complicity. Ironically, they are both from Texas. I've been lucky in Texas so hopefully the trend will continue. First off, thanks to Jason Bahamundi. I registered for Ironman 70.3 California after reading Jason's race report, and I can't say his decision to go long on 2012 didn't have an affect on my decision to do the same. Secondly, I'd like to than Jeff Irvin. Every time I've emailed him for advice, his answer has been gracious and much more detailed than expected. In fact, the dissertation I got from him today comparing and contrasting Florida, Arizona and Coeur d'Alene was so detailed that I made the decision to go with Coeur d'Alene before I fully absorbed what he was saying lest his abundant good advice cloud my thought process any further.

I'd also like to thank everyone else who reads The Road as well. One thing I've noticed is that the blog community is very supportive of Ironman newbies, and I'm gonna need it.

31 comments:

Kate Geisen said...

Very cool. Of course you're going to do it, and knowing you you'll kick butt. I find myself making decisions loooong before I "officially" make them. I'm excited for you and really looking forward to spectating through your blog.

XLMIC said...

I wonder if Manu is recommending karate/martial arts to ensure you kick ass in Coeur d'Alene?

Congrats on making the decision... I know you can make it work for you :)

KovasP said...

MArtial arts are the perfect cross training! Way to make the leap, good buddy, that took some serious guts. And of course, based on your current preparations, you will somehow find a way to be completely ready.

Tri4Success said...

Awesome man! I have no doubt you can pull this off. Looking forward to following your journey.

Lora Abernathy said...

Wow! Big congrats on registering. So awesome. You're right, the blogosphere is so supportive.

Johann said...

This is great! Looking forward to follow your progress up to IM. Awesome Patrick!

ShutUpandRun said...

LOVE that you had the guts to take on this challenge. Looking forward to reading about the ups/downs of training...long distance tri newbies unite!!!

Anonymous said...

Very cool! All those choice look great. I want to do Florida someday because I know people down there. But I've heard Arizona is a great course!

Unknown said...

Congrats and excellent choice! The CDA course should fit your style and training conditions perfectly.

Enjoy the journey and glad I could help out!

Jason said...

I got to I registered for CdA and just fist pumped. Man that is awesome. You and Katie (Run This Amazing Day) will have stalkers of your training and racing on that day.

Glad that I could help and CA will be a good training race for you and CdA with the middle section of climbs for sure.

You are going to be awesome.

Laura said...

Congrats...you are amazing. I train with people who have done multiple IronMans and they are such inspirations to me.

Karen said...

Congrats! CdA is supposed to be a beautiful course. I have a few friends that have gone out there the past two years for the race.

DRog said...

Huge! Congrats on the signup

Diana Tries-A-Tri! said...

Congrats Patrick! That is simply amazing. You have such drive and determination I'm sure you're going to do such an amazing job!

Katie said...

Jason just sent me over here because I went through the same dickering about signing up for CdA, but I did it! Awesome! See you in the spring! I'm so pumped!!!!

(Also, shameless self-promotion, you can read my dickering/announcement post here: http://www.runthisamazingday.com/2011/07/village.html)

Ransick said...

Congrats! That is just awesome. I had some friends that did CdA this year and said it was like racing in a post card. They wished they had scheduled their trip for a couple more days just to hang out.

I'm looking forward to following your journey!

RockStarTri said...

Congrats! Can't wait to follow this turn in the road.

ajh said...

Now that my daughter has done one and I got to watch I will be very interested in following your journey to this.

TRI714 said...

Well the equally good news is that I won't have any issues with you pounding out long miles on the bike with me. This is LARGE! Although I knew you would pull this trigger. As the line goes
" GAME ON " !

JohnP said...

Wow - way to commit! You're gonna love the journey! Enjoy!

Lindsay said...

sweet!! congrats on taking the first step!

Dirty Running said...

Great decision, and enjoy the training. Let me know if you're ever down south and need to get a long run in.

misszippy said...

Awesome! Can't wait to follow along with you on your journey!

Caroline said...

This is HUGE! happy for you. this will be quite a journey I am sure. I just finished reading Matt Long's book, very inpiring..did not put the idea of IM in my head..but 26.2 yes....it is top secret...

happy injury-free training to you!

J. L. said...

WOW! Congrats! So excited for you and the decision for CdA. I've been toying with that race, but not ready to commit. Looking forward to following the training. Yeah!

Aimee said...

Woohoo!! Awesome!!! That is so exciting!!

Unknown said...

Jeff's dissertation... that's funny!

Congrats - I think you made a smart move in continuing the build from your 70.3 and I've heard that Coeur d'Alene is an amazing race! We'll miss you in Florida and Arizona though! :)

Can't wait to follow your progress. If you have any questions that Jeff doesn't answer, let me know! :)

Jill said...

EXCELLENT! I am very happy and excited for you and cannot wait to follow your training journey! I love the marathon (duh), am a very strong swimmer (collegiate) and found I can pick myself up after a bike fall (or 10)...yet the whole triathlon world intimidates me. I salute you for having the courage!

Unknown said...

Congrats for making the big decision!

LB said...

AWESOME!!!! look forward to reading (and learning from) your IRONMAN journey!!! :)

FitnessFatale said...

I am also racing in Ironman CDA and it will be my first! I can't wait to follow your training as I also prepare for the race. My blog is www.fitnessfatale.com if you are interested in following me as well! I am pretty new to triathlons but decided to make the big leap to the long course anyway :)

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