Reality is starting to set in...

Last night I set up my Ironman performance training schedule with Mark Allen Online. I put in all my information, I paused and took a moment to click the "make program" button. My heart rate was elevated as it started to feel real, Ironman training is officially starting Monday.

It's been over a year since I did Ironman training and vaguely remember the full program. I do recall it was a lot of training, but couldn't remember the exact mileage and weekly increases. I finally took the plunge and clicked the "make program" button. Then I was afraid to look it.

I was hoping it was going to give me a couple weeks of easing into it. After all, I haven't been actively training for about 3 weeks. Turns out I was wrong, my first workout next Monday is a 2 hour 50 minute moderate bike ride and some weights. Then my Saturday long ride that week is 5 hours and 15 minutes. Welcome to Ironman training!!!

For the next 14 weeks I will be pounding out the mileage. It is going to be mentally draining at times and I know it will be a day by day existence that will take me deep into the recesses of my own mind. Not much else will matter. I'll be hanging out with my old friend "digging deep". My mind will be going into a place that very few normal people even know exists.

I'm apprehensive about the long hours of training and I'm curious how this round of training will go. Will it feel different than training for 2008 Louisville Ironman? Will this second round be mentally and physically easier or harder? I'm hoping easier, my second round of half Ironman training was easier. The upside is getting into Ironman shape.

I remember a long ride with Mark Rutledge. Mark's done multiple Ironmans and is good. I remember telling him I never get sore legs anymore, that in an hours time, after this long ride, I'll have showered and be shopping in Costco and feel like I did very little training today". He said "I know what you mean, isn't that a great feeling". After building a good base, you feel invincible!!!

My only concern is my ankle. Since I've been resting, for some reason it's gotten sore. I can run on it, but have discomfort when I walk. When I move it around in a circular motion I hear the bones cracking. I'm hoping it's something that just went out of place and will pop back in.

I also ordered a new pair of runners off the Internet, my old ones have over 500 miles on them. In Canada, the best price I could find was $159 plus 15% tax. I found them online at Running Warehouse for only $89.95 including free shipping anywhere in the U.S. I had them shipped to my sisters in Florida and she's going to re-ship them to me. Asics won't allow Running Warehouse to ship to Canada.

Some people may be upset with me that I don't buy local. To bad. I used to buy local but have changed my approach. If I ran periodically I'd buy local. But when I going through 3 or 4 pairs of runners per year, the savings adds up big time.

What bothers me, is that I don't understand why the same shoes cost so much more in Canada? The model I bought is brand new, just released, so it's not old inventory and the Asics suggested retail price is only $110 U.S. I figured that even with shipping and exchange I saved $70, which is a $200 - $300 savings over the course of a year. Even with my sister having to re-ship them to me, I'll still get them next week.

Rest Day - Off Season.

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