A Sample of the Highs and Lows

Yesterday was the first day after I had recklessly signed up for the 2016 Iron Man.  It was also a taste of things to come.

Seeing as how I'm NOT a runner,  I decided that the very first thing I needed to do was to start a running regimen,  so on day 1 I thought I would do a little run/walk.  On my way out, I asked my 10 year old if she wanted to go with me (I have no illusions regarding my running shape, I knew she would keep up and probably push me).  To my surprise, she said, "yes".  We took off moments later with the sun setting.  I can tell you this was the single best run of my life.  As we slowly jogged along, this 10-year-old, who rarely gives me any details about her day, in spite of my constant inquiries, just started chatting me up.  I heard about her class, her teachers, her goals.  As the sun went down and we rolled along for 2 miles, I almost forgot we were even jogging.

That was a preview of a 'high'.  I expect I will experience many of these along the way.

Later in the night, after we put the girls down and went to bed, my thoughts started getting the best of me.  I ended up thinking about the race, stressing about it, wondering about it.  Late into the night my wife rolled over and told me she couldn't sleep because she was worrying about it.  I eventually had to get up for a while and just sit - what about the costs, the time, the commitment?  Am I too old? Will my body hold up?  

That was a preview of a 'low'.  I expect I will experience many of these along the way.

What have I done?

Two weeks ago I witnessed something special.  A neighbor of mine had registered and trained for the IRONMAN Wisconsin.  I was a part of his 'support team', which, is to stay, I ran around the course to cheer him on at various points.

To witness this spectacle is something else.  People of all ages, abilities and sizes register and compete in this grueling event.  Each one of them is a physical incarnation of human will.  To say that I was inspired would be putting it mildly.  After seeing my neighbor's smile, both during and after the race, I knew one thing - I wanted.  No.  I NEEDED to be a member of this fraternity.  

Today I registered for the IRONMAN Wisconsin 2016.   Registering is a big thing - its expensive and there is essentially no refund (Well, there are cases where refunds are given but, "I didn't train enough and won't be able to finish is NOT one of them."). That gives me about 50 weeks to get myself back in shape to compete. The thing is, I turn 40 in January.  I have a wife. I have 2 kids.  I work a desk job.  

As I sit here writing this, I just keep thinking,

what have I done...