racing in 2008

So i have already hit my first hurdle in the road to Ironman 2008. With the big day so far away you would think i would make it through atleast a couple months without any problems. but not, thats clearly not how i operate... When i registered for Nov 1st i didnt really think about the rest of my season.

On any other year i simply would have opened up the USAT event calender and picked races, one month or so apartment between may and august or sept. but how many races do you have to do before an ironman? how much down time do i need? am i supposed to run a marathon or half ironman during the same season.

I effectively decided against running a marathon prior to the ironman for a couple of reasons. I dont want to distract myself from any one part of my training and since i am a pretty strong runner i should really focus on my cycling. But the bottom line is that the ironman isnt a marathon. i dont really need to know how quickly i could run a marathon alone. I need to be able to condition my body to run that marathon after its already been active for hours- and hopefully, run it efficiently. Effeciently doesnt necessarily mean the fastest i could possible run it. Lets me honest, a good 20 mile run will probably makes it way into a weekend workout tacked onto a ridiculous bike ride anyway, i dont need other people around to witness the pain.

as for the rest of my schedule....i am pretty set on a 4 race (not including IM) schedule, with a peak at a 1/2 in August. Ill post the actual races when my registration is complete. but before i can do that i have to figure out where I am going to be this season. With PhD admissions decisions still out, i have no idea if I will be in the midwest, east coast or south. If i manage to stay in Chicago (which would be ideal) you will find me racing up a storm in IN, OH, and IL and maybe back home ( my real home) in DC before i head to Florida. I need to keep traveling costs down since the Ironman is costing an arm and a leg.

Alright, till next time....