Yeah, I wrote “loom” into another blog title. I like to say Ironman looms, like it’s a beast you can’t escape or a tax deadline, or something. But, it really does fit.
It’s the date on the calendar that even old guys like me can remember.
It’s etched in stone and basically the benchmark for which all plans are made. “Oh, shit, you’re getting married and I’m the best man and ‘Boyz II Men’ are playing the reception after a helicopter ride to a secluded Caribbean Island with the guy that landed the plane in the Hudson River?”
Damn, I’m sorry, my Ironman’s that day.
It feels a little odd that I’m not doing a race so close to home and so celebrated by local triathlon clubs. The problem was, it sold out in a day, and I still hadn’t done my first Ironman yet. I’m a risk taker, but that one seemed inappropriate.
I’ve been following all the chatter on the Chattanooga Facebook page and while there’s been everything but a social media riot about the extra four miles of biking and a shorter amount of time to finish, I’m pretty sure everyone (well, most everyone) is sick of talking and ready to toe the line.
I can’t wait to see the course, which can’t help but be beautiful. It will be all I can do to stop from cutting that swim line and jumping in that gorgeous river. And the mountain scenery along with the trendy, but approachable feel of downtown? This race is sure to be a keeper.
What’s very intriguing to me is how well the town will support this race.
Many like to call Chattanooga the “Boulder of the South,” but I also hear that once you get outside of Chattanooga, you’re in Tennessee. They wouldn’t dare heckle the bike riders, or worse yet, throw out tacks like every other city, would they?
Ironman Maryland was made up over over half first-timers and I’m guessing Chattanooga will have a similarly high rate. There will be a ton of anxiety that morning and, as usual, I will be available for last minute temple rubs.
And after that, I’ll be everywhere, camera in hand, shooting video another free publicity video for Ironman starring tons of people from Nashville and anyone else who wants to join the Crushing Iron archives.
Good luck, everyone, and be sure to stop by tomorrow for a piece that could literally change your racing strategy for Ironman Chattanooga.