I started this blog 3 years ago to document my journey towards the IRONMAN.  I had just joined Team in Training to train for Wildflower Long-Course and the Full Vineman Triathlons.  Here is an excerpt of my first Post from Dec 30, 2008 :

I started running in January 2006.  I moved from my previous hospital to my current one.  I saved about 2 hours of commute time.  That allowed me to start running and getting into shape.  At the time a mile seemed a long way.  When I ran a 5K in Feb 2006, I nearly passed out at the finish.  Slowly I started to build up the mileage and ran a 8K and a 10K.  I enjoyed the whole race experience, the runners, the cheering crowds, the reward ( food) at the finish.  I decided to sign up for a half marathon and a full marathon... one week apart.  The half was on Memorial Day 2006.  The full was the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego, June 4, 2006.  I didn't know anything about carbo loading or tapering.  I assumed that if I could run 18 miles in my training runs, I could run a marathon.  The half marathon went well.  I came in under 2 hours, so I was quite pleased.  I expected to run the full at a similar pace.  I learned the hard way that there is a small gap between the 10K and the Half; but a large chasm between the Half and the Full.  After mile 13, it was a struggle; and by mile 16 it was painful.  I limped the last few miles to the finish.  I thought never again.  I've run a marathon, that's it.  It took about 4 months for the painful memories to go away, and I had the desire to sign up for another marathon.  (Las Vegas, 12/06) 

After that I was hooked...

 Amazing how far I have come since then.  I had to overcome an ACL tear and subsequent Reconstruction.  After months of PT and rehab, I started running marathons again and completed my first Ironman (Louisville 2010) with Team in Training.  In 2011, I trained with Team in Training again and completed Full Vineman, IM Louisville, and IM Florida.  This past month I ran RnR Las Vegas Marathon and the RnR Latin Music Half Marathon in Miami Beach.  Good times.  I think I enjoy racing more than training.  Perhaps that is why I race so much.  I have probably completed more than 30 marathons now, but I've lost track.  Cycling for 5 hours doesn't faze me either.  And I actually feel comfortable swimming in open water, although I can do without the mass swim starts.

My New Year 2012 Goals:  

1) To Compete and Finish 4 Full Ironman Triathlons:  CDA, CANADA, FL, and AZ.

2) To raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to hopefully one day find a cure for Cancer.

3) To become a better person during this process...

To be honest Goal #3 is the most important and probably the most challenging.  But please help with Goal #2 if you are able to.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/ironca13/irondoc