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I clicked the send button and goose bumps covered my body. I thought to myself “what did I just sign up for?”

My co-worker Janelle was in our office talking about how she was planning to do a Half Ironman in Tahoe this year, and that I should sign up for the Olympic distance.

Originally, the Olympic distance was a goal I had already been looking to do this summer. However, she got me thinking… “I need a good challenge and it’s been awhile since I really physically challenged myself, why not shoot for the Half Ironman too?”

I did it. I signed up for a Half Ironman. What goes into that? Well, a lot of training.

Janelle emailed me a 24 week training guide to help me get started. As I began to read through it, I realized the work front of me. I am thrilled about this new adventure, yet I have moments of fear occupying my mind.

A Half Ironman consist of a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run.

Versus the Olympic distance which consist of 0.9-mile (1.5 km) swim, a 25-mile (40 km) bike ride, and a 6.2-mile (10 km) run. This one sounds easier, and would actually be doable for me with less training. However, I am someone who likes to go the extra mile – or I would like to think that.

I will be 39 this December, and feel this would be a great accomplishment at my age. HECK! At any age it’s an accomplishment.

I know people do it every day; I am not doing this to prove anything to anyone. I am doing this for myself and to maybe inspire others to challenge themselves.

My goal is to build confidence, and to show myself I am still capable of doing things that seem out of reach – so long as I put in the work.

Committing to a challenge like this, I suppose, is my way of adoring life.

For the next 24 weeks I plan to write one blog post a week about the process I’m enduring leading up to August 28, 2016.

It is important I figure out how to make it work with my schedule. This past Sunday I came up with a plan. Like I say, it’s good to plan ahead. I feel good about the training regimen. Though I am still scared as all hell, I am ready to get after it.

Here is what my weekly workouts will look like:

Mondays: Swim (2,000 yards)
Tuesdays: BRIK (biking and running drills)
Wednesdays: Bike in the morning and Swim in the evening (one hour bike, and another 2,000 + yard swim)
Thursdays: Run and weight lifting (50 minute run, and 50 minute weight lifting with my trainer at Saint Mary’s Fitness Center)
Fridays: Run and Weight Lifting (1 hour run, and 50 minute weight lifting with my trainer at Saint Mary’s Fitness Center)
Saturdays: REST
Sundays: Outside Bike ride (2 hours – I might hike on these days too.)

This is only for the base phase. It will change after 8 weeks. Then I will have to
revamp my plan as I head in to the building phase.

Of course it’s important to eat healthy nutritious foods while training like this. I plan to share that process too.

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I believe I am going to need a lot of support through this process. I would love to have you send me supportive comments or tweets throughout the next 24 weeks. I am sure I will need the motivation. Please share in the comments below.