If you're like me, you grew up watching The Sound of Music every year on tv. Thanks to the miracle of cable, it's actually now on a couple of times per year, and my musically inclined husband also likes it! So, even though I'm not a very good singer, I get multiple chances to sing along with Julie Andrews (even though I'm now far too old to pretend I'm Liesl with a secret oh-so-adorable boyfriend). As a child, one of the first and only songs I ever learned was "Doe-a-Deer", and the opening lines of that song seem to reflect the completely different focus of 2010 than I had ever anticipated.
This was supposed to be the year of the M-dot. It was all planned out, after years of dreaming and focusing on this goal, I was going to toe the starting line at Ironman Louisville this August. Instead, someone I love has co-opted my goal and I'm facing an entirely different challenge...as soon as she decides to be born! I've spent the last 9months both eagerly awaiting the arrival of Baby M, but also mourning the loss of something that had been an important part of my life and motivation over the last three years.
The sadness has been two-fold. First was the realization that if I ever do want to attempt an ironman, I need a new race. You see, part of who I am is that I hate following in other people's footsteps. My husband and our dear friend Julie have both done Ironman Florida - so while it plays to some of my strengths, it's a nonstarter for me. And now that someone else I care about has adopted my long-held goal as their own, it's now off the table. Admittedly, it hurts. So, as I think toward the future and Stuart says "well, of course you'll still do an ironman, the goal is just delayed a bit", I struggle with the image. I'd had multiple reasons for choosing IMKY, and now am at a loss. As I sit here on bedrest, I occasionally peruse the websites of various ironman races (both M-dot and independent) trying to see if one truly speaks to me as the new focus of my athletic dreams. A race that will give me the motivation to put in the hours sacrificing sleep and probably some time with my daughter during the training period. It will need to be a race that inspires me. I'm open to suggestions.
The second piece of my mourning over the last few months has been wondering how and if there will be room in my life for triathlon and fitness at all. I know logically that we will somehow find time, but I know it will be different and not necessarily easy. And as I feel blobbier and blobbier now on Day 12 of bedrest, I find myself worrying about needing to buy an entirely new wardrobe because nothing will ever fit me again.
So, yesterday I took control. Although it's not a tri, I decided to quit wondering and instead put my money on the table to kickoff my 2010 racing season. On June 6th, I'll be at the starting line of a measly little 10K -- the Annapolis Zooma Run. A few years ago I did the half marathon of this women's only event. That seems to be pushing it just a few months after McNugget's arrival, but I figured a 10K would be a good jumpstart. Next up, will likely be some sort of spring triathlon early in June or July.
Yes, life is changing. And in some ways it means starting back at the beginning. But, I have a much stronger base of knowledge than I did when I ran my first 5K back in the 90s, or when we began training for our first sprint back in 2005, so hopefully I can quickly learn the lessons I once knew and leave The Sound of Music in the dust!
2 months ago
3 comments:
You will get there, Tamara! It will take time, but once you can see through the haze of fatigue after those 1st few weeks, you will surely come up with a routine that includes getting back in shape. I only started competing in road races and tris after my last child was born. Once he was done breastfeeding, I was training in earnest and raced within months. Enjoy this part as much as possible and know that life changes, but you'll get yourself back eventually
Sharon
Having your family at the finish line will make it the best 10K ever! Hang in there and the work you've done to this point to stay fit (mentally and physically) will pay off big time!
First, my friend Ilene and I have talked about doing the Vineman next fall (2011). It's in Napa Valley, which mean lots of wine at the finish line! I know it's not the Ironman name, but the distance is the same, and would cost less. I think hat would be a doable time frame.
Second, your life is about to be turned upside down. That much is true. Give yourself and Stuart time to adjust to McNuggett, and everything will fall into place...and Zooma and the others that follow will be waiting for your return to glory!
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