Change of Venue?

Not really, but certainly a big change in focus for next year. I'll always be a paddler, and I definitely plan to participate in the 2008 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge next March, my 5th. Truth be told, if I was able to take the time off from work, I'd be be doing the 2008 Ultimate Florida Challenge again, one of the best adventures I've ever had.

But there are also other dreams and goals on my "to do" list. I'm not getting any younger, and time's flying by. Unfortunately I'm forced to put off any real long paddling expeditions and hikes (Appalachian trail) till retirement.

So when Alan, my son, who seems to share my love of challenge and adventure, called me the other night to tell me that he and his friend Adam had just registered for Ironman Louisville, and I should too, it took me by surprise but had me thinking fast. I used to triathlon, and have always had a goal to do an Ironman before turning 60 (5 years left). Hmmm. Paul just shook his head while watching me figure out the possibilities.

In my last posting I mentioned creative justification :) And so I started justifying: I'd get in great shape. This would includes lots of biking Paul and I can do together, especially now that he has a new bike (Paul kept me company on my 50 milers when training for a previous 1/2 Ironman). The stiff registration fee would really be worth all the fun of planning and training for a goal. I'm already jogging, biking and swimming weekly, sports I love for fitness. And, I love a big challenge. So I was in, and sent in my registration.

I've been following ,my friend Capt'n of the "O" Dark 30's blog. Brian is a fellow Kruger canoe paddler, WaterTribe and MR340 alumni, and retired adventure racer. He's about to hit 50, and has decided to do it by getting into the best shape of his life (he posts occasional status reports on this goal). His partner Laura, is a very successful and active triathlete (has finished 4 Ironman races) and coach, and has offered to help me with my challenge.

I've also taken serous note of the recent blog postings of Silbs Says. He recently posted Too Much of a Good Thing, The Over Use Syndrome, he has the background and experience to address this properly, and I'll take his advice to heart.

This Ironman is in late August. I'll not start any serious training (the ramping up of distances) till April after I recover from the March 1st Everglades Challenge. Until then I'll continue to work on my overall fitness and work on really good base training to help prepare my body for the necessary training next year.

Like many my age, the real challenge will be the running. I have a history of overuse injuries from running, and in fact now permanently wear titanium rods in both my tibia's as the result of previous serious stress fractures. I haven't done any real running for the past 7 years, after finishing a 1/2 Ironman in 2000. I'm now a walker and jogger, and will continue as such. Gotta make some compromises.

My goal as always will be to "enjoy the process" over the coming year (the race is only 1 day), and to be a race "finisher". I believe exercise and training should be fun, when I stop having fun, it'll be time to put things back in perspective. Sharing the experience with Alan will be an additional bonus.

My blog is primarily a way to let my family/friends know what's going on, and I hope it offers encouragement and motivation for other's to be active and get outdoors, and follow their life's dreams, whatever they are. This is another one of mine, and I will approach it recreationally, for fun and fulfillment. Follow along, or even better, join me.