Expected is people’s reactions when they hear I am competing in a full Ironman distance in less than six weeks. “Woah! That is craaaaaazy! I couldn’t imagine doing all that!”
What is less than expected is my response when I act just as terrified and surprised as they are. “Isn’t it crazy!? Who would want to run a MARATHON after a 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike ride!? It is CRAZY.”
You see, deep down I still don’t consider myself an athlete, much less a hardcore Ironman triathlete. I’m just a regular girl who can’t turn down a good challenge. I don’t know what fartleks are or how to do the fancy turnaround thing when swimming laps in the pool. I rarely have any sort of training plan, and, if I do, Facebook is usually the biggest competitor.
Yet I do a long run every Friday, a long ride every Sunday and hours of training most other days.
And at the beginning of every long training run or ride I ask myself why in the world I decided to sign up for an Ironman and a 50-mile ultramarathon. Why can’t I be like all the other regular girls and not be sweaty or not be in workout clothes for a change?
Without fail I always find my answer at the end of the long workout. I feel refreshed, strong and alive. I feel like Ashley. I feel like new life is pumping through my veins and filling up my lungs. I think of the finish line at the Ironman. I will cry and be more proud of myself than I have ever been before. I will feel both humbled and empowered. I will have pushed through sweat and tears, turned down plans with friends, gone with little sleep and worked my butt off to accomplish something few others have. I will feel crazy awesome.
And even if my run or ride stinks, it really doesn’t matter why, because in a few weeks my regular girl butt will set out to travel 140.6 miles. And Ironman’s don’t accept excuses.
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Love this post!
I agree with you… the answer is definitely the feeling after a long workout! That's what gets me out of bed on the weekends to go for a long run. I love that "I'm a badass because I just ran a bazillion miles!" feeling. Its addicting!
You're so insane and my idol. Seriously, you rock. I think when I read your ironman post, I am going to cry for you, lol!!!
Girl, you are fo' real. You are totally an athlete and a kick ass one. Don't you forget it!
I totally know that feeling. A couple of weekends ago I was having a "why did I become an athlete" panic moment. But nothing beats the feeling you experience.
I've committed to a lot of things that have scared me and with the World Rogaine Champs coming up in November (24 hours of non-stop racing) it would be an understatement to say that I'm terrified! But when I stand on the startline ready to go I know I can do it.
Good luck in your ironman. You will rock
The OUC half marathon – I just started running this February and now am committing to a 13.1 mile race in December! You definitely have to sacrifice a traditional social life to make a commitment for race training, but if you're lucky you can find friends to train with you so you're not missing that social time.
Psyched to see the Ironman results! Good luck!
You are SO amazing Ashley and girlfriend, you are absolutely an athlete! How can you read that post and see your love of the sport and not have "this woman is an athlete!!!" scream off the page at you?
Unrelated to your question… I thought about you and your blog yesterday. I live in NYC and I go to FlyWheel (a spinning studio) and all the Lululemon girls from the Union Square location were there riding together! They made class fun! And they all wore very colorful tanks!
Yeah! Thats the kind of attitude that will get you through an ironman! I am so excited for you, you will be great!
phfft, who cares what other people think!
you're a serious inspiration and an awe-inspiring ATHLETE — which you are completely! keep rockin' what you're rockin'!
Running a half was something I never thought I could do, and now I'm running my second one this weekend! It was so nice to meet you today at the Philly expo.. you are truly inspiring!! Good luck this weekend!
It was great to meet you today at the Philly RnR Expo! I hope you enjoy the city!
It's really cool that you're doing an ironman. I know two other people who have done them and I can't even fathom it. Good luck and more importantly, enjoy the experience because it will be rewarding!
Good luck Ashley!
That lady behind you in the swim cap photo makes me LOL.
can you believe i've lived just 20 minutes from philly my whole life yet i've never been to the reading terminal market OR had my picture taken at the LOVE sign? sheesh. i need to get on that. pronto!
and take my word for it…you are DEFINITELY an athlete!
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