Let’s talk about May.

As many of you know, on May 19th (less than a month, ACK) I’m taking on a feat that a year ago I would have imagined impossible: Ironman Texas.  A year ago I hadn’t even run my first marathon yet.  A year ago I barely knew how to ride a bike.  A year ago this would have sounded crazy.  This still sounds crazy.

What is an Ironman triathlon? An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile (full marathon) run.  All in 17 hours.

Why would I do something like this? I’m at the point in my training where I can’t truly say.  It seems ridiculous, to the point where I’m offering other people my race spot at pit stops on training rides in bunkass towns.  But, of course, that’s my screaming legs talking.  Put simply, I’m doing it because I can.  TNT/LLS has given me something, a part of my life that I really love – I can’t wait to sport the colors and rock out on the course.  I want to spread the mission.  On my 30 before 30 list, I said that I want to raise at least $30,000, and I’m at well over $11,000.  Can’t believe it!

Last weekend I went on an 80 mile bike ride on the course (we are very lucky to live a half hour away from The Woodlands, but then again, that’s why I chose THIS Ironman) with my friend Jessica…it wasn’t my first time to go that far, and it obviously won’t be my last, but I was honestly just bonking.  I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me.  I almost cried when I looked down and saw we had only gone 26 miles – it felt like 56.  And I knew we were climbing, on the hillier part of the course, but I couldn’t believe how bad I felt and how slow I was going (averaged 15mph).  Upon seeing one of the tougher hills coming up, I said out loud, “MOTHERFUCKING WHY????”.  Yeah, I felt that shitty. We stopped in Richards, at a teeny general store where many cyclists stop to refill bottles.  I said that I thought my brake was rubbing and a nice man came over to look and fix it – I still know jack about bikes.  So the 40 miles back to The Woodlands was cake compared to the way out.  Except my legs were tired from trying to maintain speed…ugh.

I’m constantly starving.  I eat everything in sight.  Don’t hate me when I say this, but I can’t stop dropping weight…I’m really trying to put it back on.  The scale read 117 yesterday, which is a number I haven’t seen since high school – I’m definitely more comfortable when 5-8 lbs heavier (in case you are wondering, I’ve now dropped over 20 lbs since starting endurance sports).  I’ve started eating a lot more than I usually would to compensate.  I’m all, “I need TWO muffins, I’m hungry.”  Or today after my big lunch, two cookies.  Hey – my lady parts hurt from being on a bike for 5 hours, I can have two f-ing cookies, ok?

I’ve given up alcohol.  Let me repeat that.  I’VE GIVEN UP ALCOHOL.  I’m going on Day 8 and so far, sobriety is not for me.  I miss wine something fierce.  Today all I wanted on the way home was to relax with a glass.  Liquor is easy because I hardly ever drink it.  Beer, feh – fun with the team after a workout but I could take it or leave it.  But I was in such a cranky mood tonight because I knew I couldn’t drink my wine.  I’ve decided to start hoarding in preparation for May 20th – when I can finally have some.  Yes, I’ve just written an entire paragraph on when I get to drink wine again.  I LOVE WINE.  Of that I am sure.

I have one more hard workout weekend – long run on Friday, 3800 meter open water swim on Saturday, Kemah Triathlon (Olympic distance) on Sunday – can’t wait to jump off that boat!  Then I get to start tapering.  No runs over 15 miles, no bike rides over 70 miles, no swimming.  No swimming.  Just kidding.

May 19th is almost here – and while I’m super sad to be missing my blogger friends at BiSC this year, while I am on the course I will picture them gambling, partying, and sipping cocktails next to the pool – and me pushing them IN the pool.  Just joking.  I’m just jealous.

May is almost here.

And PS – I will never do something this stupid again.  Swearsies.