A Magnificant Head Game

During Ironman training, one day you are confident that you can crush the world with your little finger and that you WILL finish the Ironman and the next day, you don't even want to think about the race because there is no way you can do it. You make wake up after a hard 3-day session and feel strong and pain free and the next week "tweak" a muscle in your knee just bending to get something out the refrigerator.
EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT
and yet
EVER DAY IS THE SAME
Every day I have been focused on this goal that gets closer every day. Every day I wake up to do the next workout on my list, to eat healthier, to say "no" to lunch with friends because that is the only hour of the day I have to complete me workout. And through all of this, I find that people will misunderstand the reasoning and judge the motives. However, it comes down to this; I am doing this for one of a million reasons, but the key point is that I am doing this for me.
On race day, its me and only me with all of my hard work and dedication that I am bringing to this astronomical physical challenge. I will be the one "putting my name it" on race day. This challenge and my motives for completing this challenge have nothing to do with anyone else and thus, I have whisk any comment or judgement aside through the process to keep my sanity and to keep focused on the goal. I am quickly learning that the key is to stay focused every day and do what my body will allow, knowing that the day of my race, everything will come together.
But, what a magnificent head game this challenge is - it takes mental and physical strength to get through each day and the only one who can control both is me.

March 8 - March 14

• 3-8-10 - Run :45/Bike :45 - The sun was out yet again so I decided to run and bike a little. My legs were so weak!!! I ended up running :45 and biking :45. This isn't so bad considering the amount I ran this weekend. I had to take advantage of the weather though.
• 3-9-10 - Swim 4,000 yards - I completed a 4,000 yard swim today consisting of 50 laps pull, 20 sprints and 10 random cool down. My arms felt strong. It's odd how one day my arms feel like noodles and the next I can feel so strong.
• 3-10-10 - Bike 1:50 (trainer) - My legs felt good. my cadence increased as the ride went on (which is exactly what i needed to see). I am looking forward to the difference of the road/trainer. I am certain its going to be strange at first (note: I did bike with the windows open - it was 62 today).
• 3-11-10 - Run 30/ Swim 4,000 yards - My upper body is getting stronger - slowly - I can tell during the 25 yard sprints when I am taking 5-10 seconds off from where I was a few weeks ago - pretty cool!
• 3-12-10 - Bike 1 hour (trainer) /Run 1:15 @ 8.5 minute mile (extreme Friday) - I felt pretty good. I had a little irritation in my legs toward the end but I rode my bike 1 hour before I ran and I really think that made a huge difference and improved my ability to run better.
• 3-13-10 - H.O.P. 2 1/2 hour trainer ride - Again, the bike is feeling better and I am looking forward to seeing how my body will perform once I get out on the road.
• 3-14-10 - OFF