Post-Ironman Life; What’s Next?

Finishing Ironman wasn’t the life changing event I thought it would be. I’m not exactly sure I’ve ever had a life changing event in my life other than moving across country to live in Colorado five years ago.

However, I can’t stop thinking about June 21st. Every thing fell into place that day. Every thing worked for me that day. Nothing hurt. Nothing broke. I finished with a time I am proud of. I can't help wondering: what’s next?

If I had all the money in the world, I would sign up for Ironman Lake Placid 2010. I love going back to the area where I grew up and perhaps my entire family could be there too. I would enter more triathlons this summer in Colorado (off road and on road). I would buy a tri bike.
But alas, I do not have all the money in the world.

For now, I will work on my running and mountain biking; get back on the trails instead of the road. I will sign up for a mountain bike race at Winter Park Resort. I will run the Boulder Marathon in September. I will buy a Winter Park Season Pass and downhill ski as much as I can. I will spend a week next summer with my family at Disney World and ride all the roller coasters with my nieces and nephews. I will work on getting my book published and get more writing assignments. I will go to Writer’s Group every Monday morning at the Fraser Library. I will remember every family and friend’s birthday this year.

Thank you My Nemesis’: the hills, the wind, the cold temperatures, the rain, and especially the elevation – 8,000 feet. You all helped me become Ironman. You made every workout tough. You made me exhausted. You made me strong.

But most of all, Thank you to my support team: Mom & Dad.

Thank you Kim & Lyle for calming me and reassuring me that I was on the right path. And for reminding me, in so many ways, what is really important.

Thank you to my Ironman Training Friends & Bloggers (and you know who you all are). Thanks for the training rides and runs. For answering a zillion questions and inspiring me to train harder.

There is another Ironman in my future. I can’t wait for the training to begin.