A once crazy idea...of 140.6 miles

Ok, folks. Many of you might see this blogg and say what does 140.6 mean. Well that is the distance of the Ironman Race. The total of the 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, and finished with a 26.2 mile run (marathon). In case you are wondering why people choose to do this, I must say that you have to see a race to find out (not on TV, thought it is still moving, but first hand) I've had the chance to attend and witness the glory and heartache of thousands of people, all shapes and ages with the goal to be called an "IRONMAN". It is moving to be at the race and see the determination on the faces for those who are hurt and tired, Let alone being out there until 12am (cut off time 17 hours after the start of the race; start time of 7am).

Last year in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, I attended my first of six (to date) Ironman event for work with a co-worker who also witnessed these people putting their lives on hold, to train for a year, in order for a chance to finish a 140.6 mile race in less then 17 hours. I can say that it is great for those who finish in less then 10 hours (less then 1% of those who enter the race) even 12 hours, But the real race is within and the determination of those who are out all day and night pushing themselves closer the the finish line with every pedal stroke and foot step. If you ever wish to experience chills and goose bumps running up and down your spine and arms, attend the next Ironman close to you, or give your best wishes to those you know, participating.

With this said. I always thought that I didn't want to do this race, thinking that those I cheered on until late in the night, be it calm and clear or in the downpours, like that of Lake Placid, last weekend were CRAZY....

Now I have chosen to sign up for this race and join the ranks of the sanely crazy, you could call it. It is not the "beautiful game" of soccer but a sport that will break ones spirit and build ones up all in the same year of training and this is part of the appeal to me, which will be apart of my own training here in the upcoming year until race day on June 24th, 2007.

So my full time training will start on August 1st, 2006. In that time I plan on keeping a blogg for those of you, my friends, who wish to follow along with with my enjoyed off days of training to the days I wish could just hide under the covers prior to the 5am swim or bike rides and better yet to those days when I push myself past the breaking point and feel like a million dollars.

I wish you all enjoyed my ability to not focus while writing and I hope you look forward to the progress and possible pit falls of my next 11 months. If you have any thoughts or inspirational notes please feel free to share.

Take care,
Jon R.