Remember that new beau I told you about a few months ago? We were flying high in the clouds and loving every second of our time together. It was pure bliss, a true honeymoon phase.
So, where are we now? Here’s an update on my life as I continue to date Ironman.
BEFORE: Every adventure was so exciting and full of wonder. The annoying habits like a flat tire, muscle soreness and downright tiredness were somewhat endearing.
NOW: He knows my buttons, and he knows exactly when to push them. If he decides to spring a flat tire, a rain storm or a new ache on me on the wrong day, it’s as if the world is coming to an end and everyone in my life will hear about it.
BEFORE: We were the social couple everyone loved to be around. We loved our time together just as much as we loved hitting the bars with friends. The perfect balance.
NOW: We’ve become the old married couple everyone hates to be around. In bed by 9 p.m., up at 4 a.m. Nice, low-key evenings of foam rolling while catching up on Law & Order episodes have become the norm. Friends have given up on us because, let’s face it, we’re pretty lame even if we make it out since all we talk about is each other and the idiosyncrasies of our boring lives together.
BEFORE: My friends loved hearing about him. Even when we got into a little argument, they were the first ones to come to my side and to encourage me to work through it.
NOW: My friends are tired of hearing about him because IT’S ALWAYS THE SAME THING. “You guys went for another romantic four hour bike ride on Saturday? Shocker.” And when there’s trouble in paradise one week? I’ll be the first to complain about him and take a sarcastic tone when discussing our plans for the weekend ahead. But don’t you DARE ever talk crap about him because you just don’t understand what we have together!
Despite the sarcastic approach I tend to take while discussing my training, I have enjoyed every bit of this journey. It has been an eventful nine months that have really tested my strength, not only physically but mentally.
I’m beginning to realize more and more that almost anyone can train for an Ironman, physically speaking. It’s the mental challenges you’ll face along the way that will be the true determination of whether you cross that finish line. With less than three months to go, I know that this will be the toughest, but most rewarding phase. It’s time to buckle down, keep committed and chase after that light at the end of the tunnel.
-Live Every Day-
Cecily