Ignorance is Bliss

When my sister did her first Ironman she was pretty athletic, but didn't really train. She was coming off of her collegiate swim season so she was in excellent swim shape. She had run a few marathons in the past so she knew what that was about. And she rode 30 miles on her bike. Once. She borrowed a wetsuit from a friend of hers who scuba dives. Her friends dropped her off at transition in the morning and told her to call when she needed a ride home. She swam, biked and ran for 16 hours and change. She finished under the cut-off but it was by no means her fastest Ironman. She survived, had fun and was totally hooked on endurance. Problem was, now she knew what she was getting into. It was 7 years before she did another Ironman (which she totally killed, by the way).

Last year, I ran the Grand Canyon from the South Rim to the North Rim. My initial plan was to go back via the canyon. I took the shuttle. By the time I got to the North Rim my legs were shot. I couldn't imagine taking another step. The thought of doing another 25 miles seemed impossible. Ignorance was bliss. I made it rim to rim and had fun every step of the way. But I couldn't walk, bike or swim for about a week afterwards. It was the worst I've ever felt.

And I signed up to do it again this year without hesitation. Without ignorance on my side, I guess I'm just plain crazy. Crazy. Terrified. Excited. Nervous. Can't sleep at night. I'm totally freaking out. Last year it was easy. I didn't know what I was getting into. I just had to go from one side to the other in time for dinner. Now I know exactly what is in store for me, for my body. Can I make it? I am NOT going to be hauled out of the canyon via mule or helicopter. So I guess that means that I make it or I die trying. I might be still hiking out of the canyon on Monday morning when the sun comes up.


Consistent forward progress.... that's the goal.