The Road to Ironman Lake Placid 2007 - Dec - Apr

Dec - April 2007

I committed to the 2007 Lake Placid Ironman last July (2006), 'cuz you have to sign up a year in advance in order to get a slot. Perhaps I should have BEEN committed.

Training for an Ironman takes a fair amount of time. Training during the winter while in Steamboat was all the more difficult as there was no opportunity to bike outdoors, and running was mostly limited to the treadmill. Soooo, like all good athletes, I improvised. I took spinning classes twice a week. This is not the perfect substitute for long bike rides, but it does keep your legs in decent shape. I swam in the Steamboat Health and Rec Center outdoor, naturally heated pool nearly every day. It is interesting swimming outside in 10 degrees or less while it is snowing.

And, I spent a lot of time on the treadmill. Up to 2 1/2 hours at a time. That takes dedication, let me tell you. And, it also took an iPod. Me and my black iPod Nano became very close this winter. We spend enough time together, that we might have been married. Thank God and Steve Jobs (is this redundant?) for iPod.