Book presentations and training

I've been doing my best to promote my book while still working, cleaning, being the house taxi driver, and training. It's amazing how many people are coming out of the woodwork now to let me know how they think I ought to be selling the book or what my next move should be. Like, where were you all while I was struggling writing the thing?
I'm especially happy that I now have a coach (i.e. my husband was forced into coaching me) because I would have bailed on a bunch of workouts if I didn't know that he'd be watching over me. One of the things I am supposed to do is send my Polar HRM files to him on my bike and running workouts. That way he can check if I did the exercise right and how I'm progressing. This has been especially useful on lone runs because sometimes when the going gets tough (and I get my heart rate up too high) I walk. Not that I need to, but sometimes the incentive just isn't there. Now it is because if there's a little flicker in the heart graph he'll ask me what was happening. So things have been going good. As soon as I have the time I'll put my planned season races on the sidebar. Today's plan: 1500mt a.m. swim, book presentation in Ferrara in the afternoon.

Positive thinking!

Positive thinking is something I've been practicing for quite awhile. Whenever I want something or need a change I only think about a positive outcome. This is not always the best thing to do. My father always tried to get me to see the other side of things, the "reality" of a situation. But as time has passed and I find myself in different life situations, positive thinking is what has always gotten me through bad times and difficulties. Last year I picked up Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" and was really able to shift my thinking from past and present to NOW and thinking positive. A great double whammy that allows me to live more peacefully.

Another thing that I've been working on is in realizing my dreams. What I want for myself, my family and my children. Some things are of course not automatic. Making my daughter happy is not 100% up to me, but trying to lay out a path for her to follow is part of my responsability as a parent. Certainly making my five year old son Evan healthy and happy right now is easily within my reach.

I've been competing in marathons since 1990 and in triathlons since 1996. I always said that I would compete in an Ironman before I turned 50. That's next year. I feel mentally ready to take on the challenge, I have a year and three months to get myself physically ready for Ironman Nice 2010.

I thought a long time about this, especially the venue that I've chosen for my first Ironman. I could have chosen Austria or Germany or England...and I think they just opened one in Ireland. But I wanted the sea. I want the salt water and the fish while I swim and the promenade on the beach. I want to rent an apartment and invite friends to share my adventure. I picture them walking or tanning on beach while I ride the bike portion of the race. I know that the other Ironman races have an easier bike portion, but this is the one that gets me dreaming. And isn't that what this is all about?

I'll have to become a biker. I'll have to BUY a new bike and a new wetsuit. I'll have to find the time to train while I handle my job and family. To start this adventure the first thing I did was talk with my husband. He knew that I wanted to do this but I engaged him in helping me train. He is the best coach and I really needed someone to be able to report back to and help me hold my interest. I also wanted him to have an active part in my preparation given that the training will take up so much of my time next year.
So now that we're all set and clear, I can now start my base training!