Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Now What?

It's been just over a month since I became an Ironman. I bought the video for $15 even though I felt that it was quite the racket...



Ironman was an amazing experience. The event, as well as my body and mind, far exceeded my expectations. I walked around on cloud 9 for a couple of weeks before my feet ever touched the ground. I had a good week or two at the gym, showing off my M-Dot schwag and getting back to pumping some iron, and then I....sorta...just took a vacation. I went with mom and dad to Memphis for the weekend and got a little action in Tunica. I actually won a hold'em tournament at the Hollywood casino on the first night we were there. That makes two trips to Tunica and two cashes in hold'em tourneys so far. So, yes, I am the poker master...just ask me. Although you wouldn't know it just by looking at me at the tables. My hands quiver, whether I'm holding 7-2 or pocket aces, but the big egos just can't figure out how to read such a thing. When I sat down and paid my money this last time, the egos chuckled and informed me that "it's tax deductible." Ha...as if the first place money wasn't enough to get me fired up, now I had a real reason to win. You gotta love it. ;)

But the good times came crashing down when I got a phone call from Briar...hysterical...telling me that Wrigley had been run over by a car. Mmmm. That one hurt. It still hurts, actually. I don't think I ever realized what a part of our family he had become. He was mainly Briar's baby...Briar had begged for a puppy for years when Santa finally gave in and brought this one to both of the boys 3 years ago. We had grown accustomed to him greeting us when we got home, always loving and forgiving when we had to be gone all day or even all weekend, and most recently to the little sound of his footsteps on the new hardwood floors. At the time, I thought that sound was annoying. Now I know better. It was not annoying. It was music. Innocent music. And that, my friends, is a lesson for the ages. Lest I forget it, I ask you to firmly jerk me back into reality.

So when you get taken down a notch by things like this, you get reminded of what's really important. I don't think I ever made any bones about the fact that, while it's defintely a worthy goal to reach for, training for and completing an Ironman is but trivial in the grand scheme of things in this world. That thought has been reinforced, and I've been making up for all those mornings when I put myself into robot mode and went out for some crazy-long ride or run or swim or combination of the three, instead of holding on to whichever child had made his way into the bed with us...or even holding on to the Iron Widower who so quietly made that Ironman thing possible in the first place.

So how do you go from 4000yd swims, 100 mile bikes and 20 mile runs...to....a 5 mile run here and there? Well, just to be right honest, it's been no problem here. Which is a little scary, actually...that I'm not suffering from endorphin withdrawals or anything of the sort. I'm just enjoying the simple life...as simple as it can possibly get when you have a husband, two kids, a job and mounds of laundry that never go away. If I don't want to get up early, I don't get up. And it's been a month now. I haven't been on the bike since Ironman, and I've only been in the water one time, and that was to help Holly with her swimming.

I have no idea what I'll do in '09, other than the Seaside Half Marathon. I've tossed the idea around of going for a 1:45 there...but unless I start kicking some major asphalt soon, I don't see that happening. I'm just enjoying the lack of pressure. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make certain times and certain distances, and granted, it all paid off when I pulled out that sub-12 IMFL finish, but sometimes it's nice to just take a break. Perhaps at some point I'll come up with a goal that I can get excited about, but for now...

I'm cooking pinto beans and turnip greens, relearning some of that 6th grade math, holding on to the ones who mean the most to me, and making up for lost time...because you can slice it and dice it anyway you like, but it takes sacrifices from the whole family for one to become an Ironman.

I love triathlon, but I love other stuff too. I have goals outside of this sport, and I share goals with my kids that need more attention now that IM is over. Somewhere, I intend to find the balance of staying in good shape while pursuing other goals...or helping my family and friends reach their goals...and reading about you reaching goals.

I have more Ironman pictures to post soon. Until then, peace and love...over and out.

8 comments:

Erik said...

You deserve the break, take it!

Speaking as a father of 5 who definitely finds that finding time to train is a job in its self.

It's definitely good for your body, your mind, and for sure your family to get that break and let all heal.

E

Anonymous said...

You have worked so hard this year, the break is well deserved not only for you but for your family too.

You'll figure out what you will do in '09 when your mind and body tell you they are ready to start training. For now, enjoy every minute you have with your family and friends.

Can't wait to see more pictures.

Bethany said...

You deserve as much time as you think you need. Plus you are doing some awesome "charity" work. Ha! Seaside will be a blast and you have plenty of time to train for that 1:45. Enjoy your sweet family! It's the Holidays...

jahowie said...

Thanks for posting the video. It's really awesome that you completed an Ironman. I'm sure that you will find plenty to do in '09. For now, rest, and make sure that you tell everyone and anyone that you are an Ironman!! :-)

Jessica said...

Kudos to you Lana! I totally agree. Sometimes I get so locked into my training that I am out of tune with what is really important. It is so admirable to accomplish what you have, and you can do that again, but sometimes we all need a little reminder that there is a much bigger world out there and that we will never regret giving our families what they need. Have a great weekend! Jess

Bigun said...

you do what you want, just take my advise...4 months is waaaay too long to take it easy. I'm just saying... And I agree, that video is a solid rip-off.

Michelle said...

You definitely deserve a break!! Nothing wrong with that at all!!

I am very envious of your achievement!! It is quite amazing really!!

Good luck in 2009!!!

Rae said...

Enjoy the downtime! You've earned it and you'll figure out what you what to do, if anything in 09! Personally I'm loving my forced downtime!!!