Monday, October 23, 2006

IS IT LIFE.... OR IS IT IRONMAN???

Less than 2 weeks. I feel physically wonderful. Training sessions are (comparatively) short, and easy, compared to what they were, say, a month ago. I feel like I could bike to the moon, and run, well, at least to West Virginia (which is about 20 miles away.) I have wonderful hopes for the Ironman.

But I'm depressed. I'm anxious. At work the cash register is screwed up. The credit-card tally is screwed up. Thank goodness no reservations have been screwed up. I have happy customers. Just annoyed employers.

Everyone gets scatterbrained, nervous, and impulsive during taper for a big event. I'm wondering if I'll go back to normal after IMFL is finished.

Reminds me of this story:

Doc, reading x-ray: Your hand is broken. We're going to have to put it in a cast but it should heal nicely.
Patient: Tell me, doc, after the cast is off, will I be able to play the piano?
Doc: Why, of course.
Patient: That's wonderful! I've never been able to play the piano before!

In other words.... to go "back" to normal implies that I was ever normal in the first place. I'm lysdexic with paperwork and short-circuited with anything electronic or mechanical, and I think of 27 things at once with the result that some of them fall through the cracks. I asked for a custodial position but I'm handling reservations and money. It's like having the orchestra percussion player do the violin solo.

Maybe I will feel better when my taperitis is cured.

3 comments:

Vickie said...

All the articles tell you what to expect during the tapering period--moodiness, grouchiness, depression, aches, pains, etc., but I'm not sure I've ever seen one for that down time after the euphoria of the race wears off--or what I call the letdown phase. I'm sure it has to be normal and universal with everyone having done any IM or endurance event, so maybe it is best to plan some structured recovery time so you have a plan and can escape that post-IM blues time.

Kewl Nitrox said...

Hang in there. I just KNOW that the Lord will speed your efforts.

JeffM said...

I can only imagine- you've spent all that time and effort getting ready. Now it's basically just waiting. Good luck!