Ironman

The Ironman. 2.4 miles of open water swimming. 112 miles of road biking. 26.2 mile run (also known as a Marathon). It's a little ridiculous to say the least. Oh, I forgot to mention, a 17-hour time limit. (But does that really matter? Seriously, 17-hour long race, you're there for the day, what's another couple hours!?) Anywho, I have elected, by the stupidity that is natural within me, to accept this challenge, so that afterwards, I will be an Ironman.
The fun part of it all is that most normal human beings spend several months, if not years, preparing for this lovely spectacle of an adventure. (Yes, people watch this too. I wouldn't unless I was in it, I don't sit around for 8-17 hours doing 'nothing' for anyone, thanks!) Well, I am not normal; never have been and never will be. In fact, athletically I've always been quite mediocre sadly, never really accomplishing any great task or feat or such. Yet, my lack of normality in other areas must now compensate for my rather 'normal' athletic ability and carry me to that race of races! Let's get a few specifics down, shall we?
Race day Sept. 24th, 2011.
Mission End date (also known as earliest day that training could begin) April 16th, 2011.
Today May 24th, 2011.
So, from April 16th, 2011 to Sept. 24th, is 5 months and 8 days.
From April 16th, 2011 to May 24th, is 1 month and 8 days. (wow, I've already been home that long...weird, I was expecting to be engaged by now! haha)
So that leaves me with exactly 4 months of training left.
Well, what's happened in that 1 month and 8 days? ... umm..well, you see.. I ...uh..    if you really want to know... Swimming: about every day for the last 2-3 weeks with only a few days plus Sunday missing. I am using Total Immersion Swimming which is saving me from drowning! (I'm still learning how to breathe, but I finally learned how to swim, so that's going to be a strong point for me I hope.) Cycling: Well, I purchased my bicycle (for a price I won't name...haha) and have ridden it...once. I went for 56 minutes though! I just went around to get used to it. I averaged 16.9 mph (according to the fancy computer it has on it) and traveled exactly 16 miles. Running: i haven't so muched as jogged to and from the car!
Taking all these things as they are, if I don't improve my working out I will get to the Ironman, finish the swimming in about 1:40 (30 minutes longer than my goal), and bicycle for about 100 feet before dying. Haha.
Well, I'm not about to pay $300+ for a race that I'm only doing 1/3rd part of! So, I had better step up my game. I bought the bicycle, so now I MUST run the race. And if I'm to run the race, I'm to run it all the way! And in a reasonable time (sub 14-hours! [I could build a full shed in less time! Haha!]) so as to not be completely embarrassed and hardly be called an Ironman.
As such, I'd like everyone to keep me accountable. Hold me to my silliness! Tell me to run! Tell me to go to bed! Tell me to swim some laps! Bike some miles! To quit being a big lazy bum and get to it! I appreciate your concern on my behalf in this arduous task I've set before myself. (The things I'll do for a friend! Haha.)
So, here' my personal dedication to the matter. Tomorrow I'll begin my run! Tonight, (because tomorrow never comes..) I'll sleep so I can wake up so I can run! I'll just go until I no longer can tomorrow, to see how long I can run for. (I'll leave at 8 and be home by 8:15 knowing my slacker self..) I will succeed! That marathon is getting done in less than 4 hours! and that Bike ride? Less than 6! and swimming, a measly 1:11 to get that done. A grand total of 11:11! Because everyone knows I'm a math pattern junkie and the reace is on 9/24/2011...9-2+4=2x0+11! So it's calling to me! Must achieve an 11:11 time! (*NOTE: this is about 4-6 hours faster than most first time Ironman athletes, I'm trying to kill myself here. Just in case the world does end in early October, I won't have to see it! )
*Gulp* 'Here goes nothing!'