Well I'm at week 25 of my 27 week training program in preparation for Ironman 70.3 Augusta. It's been a long and arduous path but one I feel extremely good about. After competing last year in Ironman 70.3 Muncie, I stated emphatically my long-distance triathlon career was over. Making such of boastful statement is easy when you just finish a grueling day of racing. However, after much reflection I realized it isn't the race that I enjoy as much as it is the journey to the race.
The race in Muncie will always hold a special place in my heart as it was dedicated to my late friend Bill Fred Haecker, who grew up in Muncie before relocating to Texas. It was a tough race, one where I competed with a heavy heart. The love and adoration I felt is difficult to describe in words seeing Fred's family, Bill, Aimee, Connie and Lina there to cheer me on as I crossed the finish line.
This years race in Augusta has a different purpose. The training for this race represents an alignment and centering of my soul. I approached it with a clear mind and a goal to find balance and held onto that throughout the training. It has been a tough year and I have found the consistent training has helped me weather through the growing pains of life. Also, having two friends, Ryan Niemeyer and Jason Waller, participating with me has had a tremendous and positive effect. We have helped one another to stay the course and not lose focus. The most important contributing factor is the absolute and unwavering support of my wife, Sarah. She is a supernova of energy that has supported me every step of the way and encourages me to take challenges head on.
Now that the race is two short weeks away, I thought I would do a little year-over-year comparison. Through 25 weeks of training in 2017 versus 2016 equates to:
- 150 total workouts versus 145 in 2016
- 153 hours total time versus 132 hours
- 1,601 total miles versus 1,299 miles
- 131 bpm average heart rate versus 139 bpm
- 93,318 calories burned versus 85,300 calories
I am quite happy with the year-over-year leap in training progress. I can feel the difference mentally and physically. I look forward to translating this progress into results on September 24th in Augusta.
I am the IRONSCOTSMAN!