The *Year* is HERE! 140.6 Reasons to do an Iron(wo)man

It’s been one whole month since I completed the Seattle Half marathon, and in record time for me – while it was more hilly than I gauged from the map, (and the last 3 miles were rough), I raced a fellow runner – at least a foot taller than I was – to the finish line, and won! My personal best, just under 2 hours and really felt fantastic. In fact, it felt more like a training run than a race. In other words, my planning and training paid dividends.

Since that time we celebrated Colin’s 40th birthday, relished the unprecedented snow and hosted my first-ever Christmas dinner for six family members. What’s also occurred in the month of December is an awareness that short term goals, planning for one step at a time, one training session or workout at a time, is where I’ll excel - and also where I’ll come up short if I don’t integrate this accordingly.

NEXT UP: Week 6 of 36 week training plan; Valentine’s Day half marathon and Chilly Hilly ride in Feb.

P.S. See it for yourself (gulp): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_e-qTHIzZE
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140.6 Reasons to do an Ironman:

»001. Makes everything else seem so SHORT.»002. The 3 week taper before the race.»003. The 4 week recovery after the race.»004. To reach down and find strength you never knew was there.»005. As much of any food or drink as I want one day each month
»006. To find out who you really are.
»007. Beats watching TV.»008. For all the times you heard someone say "I'd do one of those ... I just can't swim."»009. There’s no better use of your time
»010. Because I've told everyone I one day will be an Ironman.
»011. A hoarse voice still bringing people home at 11:30pm»012. Sara at UW Sports Medicine
»013. My training partner Scott waiting for me at the finish line,»014. ...the ones that believed. ...and the ones that didn't.»015. I’ll never have more resources or time than this year to do this, »016. The mid-way point of training,»017. Easy rides and runs the week before.»018. Finishing your last workout and smiling because you know "I'm SO ready."»019. For everyone who as ever asked you "Why?"»020. For the teachers then and now who believe in you, asked a LOT more, and pushed you to your limits.»022. A better butt
»023. Becoming your *own* best example
»024. Evading the double-chin.»025. Where else can someone ripping off your clothes in public be considered a benefit of a big race? (Wetsuit Strip)»026. Miles in the Run»027. To be well-prepared for my next stage in life
»028. So you can answer "One." When people ask "How many days does that take?"»029. To give my brain a break and focus on this moment…and this moment…and this moment»030. To backstroke at the TV helicopter.»031. The Crease, The Clavicle, Those C-ankles
»032. Encouraging Cards, emails, texts all along the way
»033. Become an expert on nutrition»034. Forces me to add stretching to my repitoire
»035. Because Jay said if I can walk around the block 1,000 times I can do this,»036. To see a new state for a ridiculous reason»037. One step closer to “athletic” BMI status
»038. Because I gave up 500 calories every day in January to do this!!!!!!!!»039. Getting familiar with and visualizing the course, again and again and again
»040. To get there – and stay there
»041. To be like Yoda: there is no try, only do or don’t do»042. To make the costly orthodics, PT, gear, etc worth it»043. To have the confidence to stop making disclaimers
»044. Takes as long as having a baby, nearly as satisfying, only without the morning sickness and the 21 years of bills that follow.»045. Flying with a bike case makes business trips seem EASY.»046. Sharing a smile with people wearing the finishers T-shirt the next day.»047. Knowing that as you step in the water on race day - YOU MADE IT THIS FAR! Now just get home.»048. How many people can say they did anything for 12,13, 14, 15, 16...hours?»049. Knowing that you are running the same race as that lady who developed Parkinson’s
»050. The Body Bugg that somehow becomes your favorite fashion accessory.»051. So that you’re a hot thirtysomething,»052. Cross training with friends new and old all year long»053. High fives from people you don't know.»054. Feeling supremely accomplished by 630 am
»055. the ellipse, the roller coast of life »056. there is no finish line
»057. First Place and Last Place get the same amount of cheers.»058. Walking to the start alone»059. Getting lapped - and then lapping “them”»060. If it was easy everyone would do it
»061. Making the turn for home – on any given day, from any number of events»062. Because of who you meet, e.g. Amy S. in the Green Lake parking lot,»063. Just do it
»064. You might get to be in the newspaper!»065. High fiving my fam at the finish»066. Sunset on the run.»067. If Randy Caddell can do it with just his arms, you can certainly do it with your legs.»068. Easier than Eco-Challenge.»069. Didn't play sports in high school.»070. Because everyone knows you are training and you can't stop now.»071. For all those 3:45am mornings, when you wished your head was still on the pillow.»072. Makes US Navy SEAL training seem like a good idea.»073. Makes the Death Valley marathon seem less outrageous»074. You've had enough with your current social life.»075. hooking each challenge or obstacle to a larger purpose – and overcoming it
»076. Your friends are watching on the web.»077. You need to prove yourself to nobody – but do it anyway»078. You're husband think you are nuts.»079. Because you love Green Lake,»080. making the connection – and if you don’t, knowing it’s YOU that cost you your goals»081. Optimum health overall.»082. Swims in Lake Washington in the middle of the winter in Seattle.»083. Three swims each week and embracing it »084. lifting three times each wk here fwd (and liking it!)»085. To fulfill an item on my bucket list»086. To say, "I am an Ironman". And always will be»087. To be an example and inspiration with my attitude & my body.»088. Glowsticks on the run close to midnight»089. As Ray Allen said on the court that night, “You can’t stop me.”
»090. Because I have so much going for me that others don’t,.»091. The 12-step program to make me stop hasn't been invented yet.»092. Any National Anthem, before the start, anywhere.»093. Knowing that when you wake up at 3:00am, the next time you go to bed you will be VERY different person.»094. Expecting more of yourself»095. The shoulders swimming will force you to develop.»096. Because you've always wanted to see how many iPods/iTouch(es) it’ll take,»097. Makes your next marathon just a nice morning run.»098. Bragging rights for life,»099. Because the longer you're out there, the less per hour it really costs!»100. Being there is waaaa-ay better than watching on Pay-Per-View»101. Finding yourself in the middle of your doubts ... finding a new meaning of being scared.»102. Finding out that you're far stronger than those doubts a few miles later.»103. Falling in step on the run and making a friend to the end, without having to say a word.»104. A pancake breakfast the day after.»105. Watching people headed home while you're headed out, thinking "I'll be there soon ..." and they cheer for you.»106. Understanding why that is as your cheering for people headed out when you're finally headed home.»107. That feeling of ice cubes in your hat on a hot run never getting too cold.»108. Telling folks with flat tires "It's a long day - hang in there!" and seeing them breathe and smile at everyone you see thereafter.»109. Hearing people cheer you up while your changing a damn flat tire.»110. If you can do this, you can do anything »111. Develop an iron will in *all* aspects of my life.»112. Miles in the Bike.»113. The IV's feel SO good the next day.»114. To see if it really feels as good to do as it does to dream.»115. And then to see if it really feels as good the second time.»116. To learn the power of commitment and determination.»117. Confidence.»118. To try and finish in daylight.»119. To try and finish before midnight.»120. To try and NOT wreck your achielles this time.»121. Your mom already think you're a hero - prove her right.»122. My dad»123. An M-Dot Tattoo would look swanky on your heel.»124. 5000 Volunteers - all for you.»125. Hearing them say "You're almost there!" all day long.»126. Being nearly almost there - for real.»127. PB&J and IPA (It's been awhile)»128. The finish line.»129. Because your training partners said you were a fighter»130. The first time you think "Holy smokes - I'm doing an Ironman!"»131. Beating back the voices that say "Holy cats - you can't do an Ironman!"»132. Mile 26.»133. That moment when you KNOW you're going to make it for the first time all day.»134. Nine times around Green Lake
»135. The last mile.»136. The Finish Line.»137. The first step after you cross the line and think "Oh, My....God....!"»138. Hearing them say, "Dana, You are an Ironman!"»139. It really *is* about that last twenty percent»139.6 Because they said I can't»140.6 Because I say I can.