Keeping it "FUN". . .?

As I am quickly realizing, training for an Ironman can become very serious. It consumes the mind and would consume an entire day if I had the time or would allow it to. I love it, don't get me wrong. Even on the days when I don't want to do it, I still like it and feel better for doing it.

When I started training for this thing, someone experienced once told me to keep it fun (Thank you Chip). I am realizing as race day gets closer that he is right. It is imperative to keep at least some parts of it fun.

I say "some parts" because I have a tendency so swing into auto-pilot pretty easily where I am so focused I forget that it is fun. I have always felt lucky to be able to train (I think losing a friend to cancer over 12 years ago has made feeling lucky to be alive at all an automatic and daily occurrence). But, keeping in my the aspect of "fun" is not so easily done.

One way I have been able to "keep it fun" is by implementing food into my "long" training days. Burning so many calories in a day makes the idea of food consumption a no brainer. I can always eat and as of late, I always do. (PHOTO TOP LEFT: Ice Cream stop in Granville, Ohio).

I am still lugging my camera along on long rides - that ensures the ride will be fun - I find documentation of any event fun. I am still not quite sure how to make the running fun . . . enjoyable. . . ummmm. . . I will continue to work on how I can make running tolerable. (HA). I guess the point is, it is not easy to "keep it fun" every day because to be quite honest, I am too nervous and scared to keep it fun every day. I have days where I am so terrified that I won't finish, I train for an extra number of miles to make my mind feel better and strengthen my body so I know I will be able to walk through the finish (something I do not want to have to resort to, but on race day anything can happen and I am mentally preparing myself for that anything - I hope). (PHOTO RIGHT: Bologna sandwich in Waldo, Ohio).

June 26 - June 30

• 6-26-10 - Bike 88 Miles - MY ENERGY IS BACK! Went on the 1st and last annual Waldo Bologna Ride. I say last because it was difficult coming home the 58 miles that stood before us with such a large chuck of grease in our bellies. Great ride, downed lots of water. Love my B&B group (Bill and Bob) - great riding group to push me.
• 6-27-10 - ME DAY OFF
• 6-28-10 - Run 3:00/O.W.S. :40 - My run today felt good. I was careful to hydrate and take in Gel. Every :45 I would stop for a moment and eat my gel, drink some water and continue running. No aches at the 3:00 mark - progress! I feel as though my bike nutrition is good, now I must focus on staying healthy for the run.
• 6-29-10 - Bike 3:00 - We are closing in on July and I cannot believe it! I had a mini freak out moment today knowing how much time I have to prepare. I know July will be a host of training opportunity and my first half Ironman: Louisville, Lake Placid, and Steelhead - quite the training month that lay before me. The bike felt good. The temperature was finally lower and the humidity gone. My rides with B&B are only going to get better as I get stronger.
• 6-30-10 - Bike 1:30/Run 1:30 - Uneventful but good workout - wish I had more time to bike because it felt great (body and temperature) There was wind but the wind isn't bothering me so much anymore. The run was quirky the first 15 minutes then I started to loosen up.