As I think about why I do the sport of triathlon and why I love the Ironman distance (2.4-mile swim + 112-mile bike + 26.2-mile run = 140.6 miles), it really boils down to one thing - commitment. Webster’s defines commitment as “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future.” Racing an Ironman is about commitment to oneself to do something special over 140.6 miles.
Photo by: Richard Frasier
For many years, my special goal was to break 9 hours in an Ironman. I did that in 2002 at the inaugural Blue Devil Triathlon in a time of 8:57. I have not been able to repeat that feat since then although I have attempted it in multiple Ironman races since then. I obviously want to do it again but I have not been able to because, *I believe*, I have already done it and the desire to do it again is just not as strong. The desire to dig deep and deeper past the discomfort, the pain and the suffering of 9 hours of continuous. To regain that desire, I need to chase something new, something even more challenging. I need to chase a step leap in performance - something seemingly unattainable except for the best of the best in the sport.
I want a sub 8:30 Ironman.
It’s doable, at least on paper:
- 0:54 swim (I did this at Roth in 2006)
- 4:40 bike (My best is a 4:50 so this is not a big stretch)
- 2:50 marathon (I ran Disney in 2:46 on sore, fatigued legs after running the Disney 1/2 Marathon the day before - see previous post)
- Plus 4 or 5 minutes in transition time
So why tell the world by writing this in my journal? Because I’m serious about the goal and I’m not afraid to fail.
To achieve this time will require the perfect race - everything must go right starting today, January 25, and every day going forward as I turn my energy, my passion and my focus this year and commit to achieving this goal in June 24, 2007 in Roth, Germany in the Quelle Challenge.
Life is good. Live.
David
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David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net
©2007 David B. Glover
