Ahhhh, Rejuvenation!

Sometimes it happens in the least likely of places. The dead of winter, for example. But we have been having freakishly mild weather as of late. A few things have happened that I am very, very excited about. But before I go on listing exactly what they are (don't worry, it's a short list), I'll do a little bit of pontificating about myself, and some peculiarities of mine.

I find my remedy for boredom, or just staleness in my life, has usually run to the physical. Around this time last year, it was discovering Bike and Build and starting this blog. A year has passed since I began that journey-phew, I really can't believe it- and a lot has changed. I have a new definition of myself, what I'm physically capable of. I have an intimate connection to seven or eight states that I've ridden through now, and a bond with a group of people that I don't think I'd be able to fully dissolve even if I tried. My soul is healthier, I think, for having seen so many sights and felt so many emotions. I treasure every mountain pass and every moment I can look back on a freak out (read: Shira screaming at Peter in Nebraska) and not stiffle the laugh. We suffered a lot and learned a lot and it was ecstasy, every moment of it. I have, and will always, enjoy reminiscing about it but it is time to look forward once again!

I've decided to tack another lofty goal onto the "things to do" list for the year. I plan on completing at least a half Ironman and possibly a full by the end of the 2009 calendar year. There's a half in Montauk that looks promising, and if I get my way I'll compete in the Wisconsin or Maryland Full Ironman. I've been playing with the idea of competing in one for a long time now, and I am just so excited to be taking my first steps again on another road. It keeps one focused for certain. For those of you who don't know much about the Ironman, it's considered by many to be the golden fleece of athletic achievement. I'd have to agree, when it comes to endurance anyway. By the numbers, a standard Ironman is a 2.4 mile open water swim, a 112 mile bike, and a marathon to be completed within 17 hours. Each leg is an achievement onto itself.

I come into this knowing full well the likelihood that I will not complete this race. It does not discourage me, and it is not an excuse to not try. I feel that, as Shira once told me, "the process is the goal". I think that, whether or not I achieve the concrete goal here, I'll discover things about myself and enact meaningful change within my own life. That is worth far more to me than nabbing that finisher's medal; nonetheless, I shall work hard, I am already working hard. If my personal experience and transformation doing this is anything like it was biking across country, I know I won't be disappointed whatever the outcome.

So then this blog, too, will be a part of achieving the goal. I'll be writing periodically about my training and my progress. The races I'm competing in this semester will all be a part of that training as well. I am freshly returned from a nine mile run, training for the Shamrock Half Marathon in March. I'll be doing plenty of running while it's still cold out. Probably more of that than either of the other two disciplines, although I also want to focus a lot on my swimming as well. So if any of you are still watching this blog, please continue! Bookmark it even. It's bound to be a bumpy ride along the way, and I'll try to capture all of those feelings here.

Goals keep us focused, I think give us a sense of purpose where there might not otherwise feel like there was. I am very much relieved to have decided upon a new one! Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish! In the meantime, I hope everyone has an excellent holiday season. I'll be spending the tail end of mine with some Bike and Builders in the Florida sun. And I cannot wait.

Peace out, Hombres!