The Muncie Endurathon Report Volume 77 Days and Counting!

Everything passes away - suffering, pain, blood, hunger, pestilence. The sword will pass away too, but the stars will still remain when the shadows of our presence and our deeds have vanished from the earth. There is no man who does not know that. Why, then, will we not turn our eyes towards the stars? Why?
- Mikhail Bulgakov, The White Guard

Today, I am turning my eyes towards the stars.

I have 77 good solid days until my first 70.3 mile race. A lot can happen in 77 days. I can end up in Mexico for a week. I may break my leg or pull a muscle. Or, I can happily complete my training and be strong, healthy, and fresh for Muncie.

Unfortunately, I have gotten sidelined in my training due to a mix of personal reasons.

So after two weeks of me sitting around and trying to "sneak" in training, I decided that enough was enough. I have a Half Ironman to finish happily and strong. I have some hard work to be putting in so it pays off. I am back in training mode, now if only Mother Nature would get on the same page!

So enter the freak out. Those two weeks scare me. The weather has been really hit or miss. I know that I will have two solid months of biking outdoors and one solid month of swimming in a lake to be prepared. I am just scared that that is not enough.

So today I am banishing my scaredness... NO MORE.

I set out to complete a 70.3 mile race, and I am going to do just that.

Munice is a beautiful race I hear and based on the turnout from my triathlon club FAST, may people agree. I am excited to be a part of the 30th running of the Endurathon. I hear that the swim is nice, the bike nearly all flat minus some rollers on the last 5 miles or so, and a hilly run. I am fine with all of this.

So I am recomitting to my plan. I have had to move some things around due to other commitments (such as launching my own business!), but I am going to move forward knocking out those training blocks and really giving it the respect it deserves. This is going to be my last first half ironman. And like I have said before - you only get one first.

For 77 days I will enjoy every single stroke, pull, catch, peddle, and stride.

For 77 days I will work my butt off and make sure that the only workouts I miss are due to hell and or high water. (or migraines lol)

For 77 days I will make sacrifices and work magic with my schedulling wand, I will be at the pool, in the lake, on Hines Drive, Island Lake Rec, Kennsington, or running the hills of Farmington as required to be prepared.

In 77 days I will go from a dreamer to a doer.

In 77 days I will be a Half Ironman finisher.

In 78 days I will look back and smile at how far I have come, because surely this journey was not about the 70.3 miles, but rather all the miles beyond.

With that I bid ado so I can get my tush in the saddle and my feet on the path for a nice brick.

Here is to a happy, healthy, and well prioritized spring!