I’d begun to contemplate moving up to a full, meaning a FULL Ironman since late 2012…by the way, just saying the word makes me just a little bit queasy.

Since early this year there were rumors swirling around about Boulder being the future venue for a 140.6 race.

Those rumors were then validated and before I knew it I was receiving a special “VIP” opportunity to register for the inaugural race of Ironman Boulder.  Was this because I was really a V.I.P?!  Ha, ha don’t I wish!  The answer is that all athletes that were competing in the entire Boulder Tri Series (Boulder Sprint, Boulder Peak and Boulder 70.3) were offered an early registration opportunity for IM Boulder.  I had toyed with registering for Tahoe for 2014 but then felt that I was being given “an offer I couldn’t refuse” with Boulder.  Plus, logistically and financially competing in what would be my 1st and likely ONLY Ironman in Boulder just made much better sense:

• I could ride and run the course as part of my training
• My extended family could attend the race
• I wouldn’t need to travel to the race venue which would save a ton of money
• Good friends could be there along the route cheering me on

So, I kinda felt that I HAD to register for Boulder.  Plus, I just knew I’d be MAD at myself either way.  MAD if I didn’t register and try to become an Ironman and MAD at what I would put myself through from a training perspective.  For those of you that haven’t seen this video, I believe this will pretty much sum up what my life will be like during the peak portion of my training:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03dFMG8nR4

So…on registration morning July 14, 2013 I did “IT“, I logged on to Active.com, I hit enter and then when I received the confirmation email…REAL panic set it!

I was heading to Ironman Boulder which was planned for August 3rd 2014!  WOW!

I just keep telling myself, relax, breathe, …