Getting Started

To do anything you must first begin.

For me, my beginning is 284 days, 13 hours, 46 minutes, 9 seconds away from my goal of becoming an Ironman on August 25th 2013.

Perception of time is always relative and circumstantially dependent.  If I gave you this amount of time to get a present for someone it may seem to be more than enough and even enough time for some procrastination.  If I gave you this as the amount of time left to live well then a whole new panic sets in.  To train for a race of this magnitude it takes time.  It takes a substantial amount time ahead of the race and a substantial amount of time each week. The time per week is established by the plan and the plan is based on your training. Your training is based on your goals, circumstances, and condition. 
For me, the time to begin my training was now. As for this amount of time its somewhat substantial, its daunting, and its ever escaping.  Training for a race like this is one that some do in 16 weeks, 32, weeks, 1 year, or even 2 years ahead.  Again its based on the previous 3 criteria. For me, it seems right but I will update you in about 9 months. I chose now because the "timing" was good.  I am just coming off a season of tri's, running, biking, and general fitness shape like I have not been in for decades.  I had taken some time to refresh and rekindle my energy with a bit of "break". Yet, in this "break" I did maintain some baseline of endurance.  I took the break to educate myself as to the plan, process, and program that lies ahead so that I was mentally aware of the challenge.  I spoke to friends, confidants, coach's and my family about what lies ahead to gain their insight, support, and wisdom.
This time is set upon my condition.  My condition is one that is a novice. I have never swam farther than 1.2 miles, ran farther 13 miles, and I have never biked more than 90 miles let alone all of that together and then  nearly double it.  Holy wow.  However, that is why you train.  That is why for me I am starting over 9 months ahead of the race.  Now that nine months does not sound so long does it?
Last night I started: 1 hour on the bike trainer in my basement. This morning: 5:30 swimming for an hour with a coach.  For the next 40 weeks I am going to be spending time from 5-20 hours per week in preparation so that I may achieve my goal, within the circumstances of my life given my current condition.

Gotta go my "break" is over and I need to get home so I may make time to have time.