Rx: Ironman

October 1, 2006

Lest you all think I’m crazy, let me explain myself. I’m not one to break Streaks. I ran my first Twin Cities Marathon my sophomore year in undergrad, and I’ve run it every year since, including on my 21st birthday. School didn’t allow for much travel time (or travel cash), so I just signed up for TCM every year. When the end of April came around this year and with it the opening of TCM registration, I hadn’t planned to sign up. Then I started thinking…

1. Every year when the marathon is over, I experience an element of sadness. I’m pretty sure it’s due to the fact that I have spent so many hours training for the race that once it’s over, I sort of don’t know what to do with myself. I can only imagine that feeling amplified many times over after Ironman.

2. This year is their 25th anniversary run. It is going to be quite a bash, and I want to be part of it.

3. I don't like to mess with tradition. If I can, I want to finish again this year. It may not be fast; it may not be pretty; but if there is a chance I can finish it even having done IM three weeks before, I want to do it. I’ve done it in the past with much less training. This year’s training will just be very different.

So it is. I signed up. I’ve paid the registration fee, and you see the race as part of my schedule to your right.