Dreams, Goals...2012

It's the stuff that dreams are made of!

Goals...goals lead us to our dreams.  A long time ago I had a crazy dream to run a marathon.  Now when I thought of that dream it was something I never thought I would actually do...run for 20 or so miles, I don't even think I knew it was actually 26.2 miles when I was dreaming this impossible dream.  I just knew I could and would never be able to do it...but wait...I did do it..in June 2010. 

So whats funny about our goals is that they turn into dreams that actually become our reality...well then that allows us to dream more.   So what beyond a marathon did I dream about...an Ironman.  Well to be honest I really never thought I would actually do that...I mean a marathon is one thing, but an IRONMAN, a FULL IRONMAN...now that is crazy.  And lets be honest...to run a marathon you have to be a little crazy, but to do an ironman...now that is all out INSANE!

I have noticed quite a few bloggers recently that have moved from strictly running to triathlons.  What's cool about your friends is they do things and then it makes you wonder...could I do that?  We have all done that right?  Yes, yes we have.  Before even realizing I had friends doing this...I was thinking about goals for 2012...maybe run another marathon since I didn't do any in 2011.  In fact I took it very easy in 2011 and have missed having something to work towards.  I thought for sure a marathon, I have done that...I know what to expect!  But then I realized I don't always love running and in fact it can be hard for me at times and I'm not great at it.  Why not do something I love like swimming...ok, ok...it's time to get serious and do what I had said I would do a while back, focus on triathlons.  This might seem kind of funny since I have only done 1 sprint triathlon!  That was the Best DAY!  I loved every minute of it.

First mile of my sprint Tri!

My dad and I finishing our first Triathlon together.
September 2009

So that is my goal...to do an IRONMAN.  Ok, lets slow down a little bit.  I have no idea if I will actually do one, but I can at least get my feet wet and start doing some sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and see what I think.  If I like it I can train for a half ironman and then we will see if I want to go to Kona and race with Chrissie Wellington for the Ironaman World Championship!  I was in Kona a week before this years championship and watched people train...so I think that totally prepared me...um...yah!  Wouldn't that be nice if it was that easy!

I love to swim...like really LOVE it.  And it's one of the only things I can say I love and I'm actually kind of good at.   I have joined the local Masters Swim team in my area and I haven't been more excited about something in a long time.  I do need a new bike and am going to be working on that in the next few months.  Might have to use the mountain bike for a bit.

I'm really pumped to be going after another dream of mine.  Nothing better than working on something new!  I love breaking barriers down by overcoming fears!

I was watching "Biggest Loser, Where are they Now" around Thanksgiving and Tara, one of the finalists a couple seasons back ran Kona Ironman this last October and something she said really stuck with me...she said "Instead of saying, I can't, I said to myself...Why can't I".  I love that!  I like to tell myself a lot that I can't do that because it's much too hard...but really, why can't I?  

At least I can Tri!!!

Though 2012 won't be the year of the IRONMAN, it will be the year of preparing for something down the road...or at least TRI'ing.

2012...Let's Do This!