The Road to IRONMAN: Unfinished Business

This picture was taken of me exiting the water at Ironman Cozumel.

My right eye is closed shut due to my googles being ripped off my face at the start of the swim. I couldn’t stop my googles from leaking and the salt water really messed up my eye.

Looking at that picture reminds me of how Rocky looked after his first fight with Apollo Creed. The picture speaks volumes to me and every time I see it I smile and give my head a shake.

What was I thinking?

Maybe my goal of morphing from a border line obese sloth to an Ironman over a ten month period was a bit of a stretch. Things didn’t work out for Rocky in that first fight nor did it work out for me but we both learned a lot about ourselves and what we are capable of when we have a big enough “WHY.”

My plan was never to do an Ironman again as it requires a lot of sacrifice and comes along with a lot of fatigue but my thinking changed after reading this story about 80 year old climber Kris Machnick.

I need something special to celebrate my 70th birthday in 2024 and I can’t think of anything better than giving Ironman another shot.

Like Rocky in his later movies it wasn’t about winning anymore it was about proving to himself and others that he could still go fifteen rounds. I like the challenge of Ironman it’s the ultimate endurance test, and a form of play for me.

I also like hanging out with other crazy “Retirement Rebels” they are my kind of people.

For us back of the packers it’s not about going fast and winning but rather not quitting and finishing within the 17 hour cut-off. For the record I’m slow. I’m a slow runner, a slow cyclist and even slower swimmer but I’m having more fun training than I have ever had.

To celebrate my slowness I’m having a special racing jersey made, one with a picture of a turtle on front with the words “Retirement Rebel’ on the back.

But this time preparing for the race I’m going to be smarter and do some things a little differently.

I’ve had this picture enlarged and hung a copy on the wall of my office as well as the wall in my home gym. I also had a photo fridge magnet made so I see that picture every time I open the fridge door. How’s that for motivation? 

I’ve also decided to take a hard look at things in my life that hold me back and limit me from doing my best.

So with that in mind here are a few things that I plan to do;

• I’m going to take a break from alcohol in January and might extend that out further or even end it completely if I find I’m losing weight, sleeping better and have more energy as many people claim

• I’m going to focus on my nutrition and stop eating foods that make me fat and weak.

• I’m going to drink way more water throughout the day

• I’m going to explore ways of sleeping better

• I’m going to take a short restorative nap every afternoon

• I’m going to engage a personal trainer and follow a proper weight training program

• I’m going to learn to kick properly while swimming. I shy away from kicking because I have poor ankle flexibility and actually end up going backwards during some kicking drills which is embarrassing plus I cramp a lot which isn’t a lot of fun

• I’m going to join both a riding and running group in the spring. Training with others is fun. I like both the socialization and motivational aspect of running with a group.

I have also bought a new bike trainer that will allow me to ride virtually with other people during the winter. Riding alone in the basement is boring and when I’m bored I don’t push myself as hard as I should.

At age 68 I’m more turtle than hare but I’m ok with that. For me it’s not about speed but rather doing what it takes to get the job done and reach that finish line.

As I was writing this article I could hear the theme song from Rocky in my head and that got me a little excited thinking about my future return to Ironman. Rocky won in his second fight with Creed and there is no reason why I can’t win as well if I’m smart about this and put the proper training in.

Power to the turtle!