The cost of Ironman...

No, I don't mean the $$ cost. Although I was curious enough to break down what everything I'm using on race day would have cost had I paid full price. So here's my best estimate:

Just an example of a lot of race stuff

• Race entry: $700
• Swim stuff (Wetsuit, goggles, ear plugs): $225
• Bike & everything on it (Bike, bottle cage, bottles, pedals, saddle bags & content, saddle, helmet, shoes, computer, new arm rest pads): $2970
• Clothes & shoes etc. (Wetsuit, tri suit, arm coolers, compression sleeves, hat, shoes, socks, run bottle, sunglasses): $715
• Grand Total: $4610

And that's not including all the nutrition I'll be taking in, which is mostly Infinit, but still. (Also, P.S. swimming is less expensive than running, which is less expensive than cycling. I'm sure you already knew that.)

Conclusion: Ironman is an expensive, selfish sport. Which, by the way, is a huge part of why I wanted to fundraise!

Now let's talk about the cost outside of the $$ amount.

Throughout the course of my training, here are some things I've given up:

• Coffee.
• Playing drums for Sunday worship and oboe in the Praise Symphony Orchestra.
• Drinking. And by this, I mean drinking in excess. Which is something I've been working on anyway.
• Being completely rested and feeling good after every workout.

After a brick workout 3/23/13

After my first 101mi ride 8/24/13

After a 2.4mi swim race and 100mi bike 9/29/13

• Sleeping in (weekends and week days).
• Time with my husband.
• Having time for anything else, besides planning my next workout.

Some things I've gotten used to:

• Finishing a workout at 8:30pm and getting up at 5am to swim.

The Masters pool at 5:45am

• Doing nothing all day except riding my bike, eating dinner, and going to bed.
• Working out regardless of weather.

100mi windy ride 10/5/13

Running in the rain 10/9/13 

Running in humidity 9/1/13

Swimming in the cold 10/30/13 -
It was 47 at 5:30am

• Taking 10-20min power naps and running even when I don't feel like it.

Off to the track after a power nap 4/18/13

• Blisters...and things going wrong with my body.

After not wearing socks on a 6mi run

Constant (mystery) calf swelling

Weird neurologic problem on my 2nd left toe
(and of course, knee pain)

Riding with a sprained finger

Running with a sprained finger

• Gear breaking and/or things going wrong.

Tire peeled away from the rim on a new wheel

Water bottle launched
off my bike and broke

Throughout all my training, here's where my awesome husband has filled in the gaps:

• Shopping.
• Cooking dinner (and many times cleaning up as well).
• Doing laundry.
• Taking out the trash.
• Cleaning the house.
• Bearing with me when I'm over-tired...
• Not racing Ironman so that he could support me.

We haven't gotten to ride or run as much together, but we still managed to train together occasionally:

Riding together 6/1/13

Running together 9/28/13

And go to races together:

Palm Springs Half Marathon (relay) 2/10/13

Desert International Triathlon 3/3/13 

Wildflower Triathlons (Half Ironman) 5/4/13

Wildflower Triathlons (Olympic) 5/5/13 

San Diego International Triathlon 6/30/13

Big Kahuna (Half Ironman) 9/9/13

With the exception of Wildflower, each of my races was better than the previous. I'm hoping to continue this trend...

Even though it's been tough at times, all of it will be worth it when I am here again:

The finish line!

And really, it'll be worth it as I'm out on the course, because in the end, the JOURNEY is the reward.