Tri Training has BEGUN!

I am hoping that if I say this "out loud" then I won't be able to chicken out...

Last summer, I thought it would be a great idea to sign up for the Buffalo Springs Lake Ironman 70.3. You know, anything can sound fun when it is a year away... and why not!? I figured there was plenty of time to get a new bike, a wetsuit, and someone to teach me how to swim better during the "off season." Plus, my good friend Malinda had just completed her first full Ironman, and I was very much inspired by her accomplishment. Well, here we are in February, and I still have my same old bike, no wetsuit to call my own, and I just did my first real swim workout in about 2 years today. I better get it together quickly.... the countdown has begun, with about 4 1/2 months until the race date of June 28th.

If you don't know, the distance is broken down into a 1.2 mile open water lake swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. Scary, considering I have only done Sprint distance triathlons in the past (usually a 1/2 mile swim, 12-15 mile bike, 3.1 mile run). I know that if I train well and put in the time, I should be able to finish the race. But at this point in the training (week 1), it all sounds a little intimidating! Malinda is already helping me a lot by giving me a training schedule and advice. I am also planning to go to Nitro to get some help with my swimming, and as for the new bike and wetsuit, they will have to wait until March (see Clint's New Toy, below)!