Iron Pol

You can call me the Iron Courier.  Delivery under three (hours) or it's free.  Some background and details, perhaps?

Much like other days of the week, Sundays at our house have a bit of a routine.  One key part of that routine involves my kids asking to go to their grandpa's house after church.  I typically tell them to ask their grandfather.  He typically tells them to check with their dad.  Yes, it's a vicious circle.  It makes them laugh.

Yesterday was all boys.  My daughter went to church with my wife, leaving three generations of males from the Pol family to fend for themselves.  Of course, my son wanted to go for lunch at grandpa's.

It worked out well as it gave him the opportunity to read a story to grandpa as part of homework.  We ate lunch, watched the first half of the Packer game, and, according to my dad, did all the other things men can't do in mixed company (mostly associated with bodily functions, you know how guys can be).

At half-time, we hurried out the door so we could get home before the second half started.  And, of course, left my son's homework packet sitting on my dad's table.  He noticed it and called, just as I was pulling into the driveway at my house.

And, also of course, it needed to be turned in, today.  That left me with the challenge of juggling the rest of the Packer game, a 12-mile training run, dinner, and returning to my dad's house to get the folder.

Enter MapMyRun.  While watching the second half of the game, I mapped out the route I would take to my dad's house, if I were running.  Nine miles, one way.  A bit much when the plan called for a 12-miler.

Of course, that doesn't consider either the Ironman or the insanity factor.  As the Packer game wound down, I changed into my running gear and headed out the door.  I told my wife I'd be back in three hours, or the delivery would be free.

Eighteen miles (about four of which were not much fun) and 2:50 later, I walked back in the door, a sweaty pack on my back.  Thank goodness for the plastic sleeves they use to send the books/signature sheets home.

Iron Courier Service.  You call, we deliver.  And who needs the bike?

With the economy and events of the past year, planning races for next year is becoming a challenge.  Though luckier than many, the economy has stretched our family budget pretty tight.  I made it through the year with my job, but made several adjustments to my payroll deductions due to cuts at work.  They stopped all matching contributions to our 401(k), so I upped what I was contributing.  Which meant less take home pay.

Then, we had the Great Bathroom Fiasco of 2009.  With tile walls collapsing faster than Wall Street, we spent far more than planned on repairs.  Add the skylight to that, and we blew the budget.  Obviously, that will have an impact on race spending in the coming year.

That poses quite a dilemma.  How do I race without spending tons of money.  Two thoughts come to mind.  First, I can try to bandit a bunch of races.  I'm not fond of that approach for a couple reasons.  It doesn't really work for triathlons.  And I really only feel okay with it when I'm pacing a first time marathoner in a race I didn't plan on running.

My second thought is to be my own race director for the season.  I do plan on running the Green Bay Marathon in May.  That will be a PR attempt.  After that, I'm thinking I'll put together my own events.

The pinnacle of that will be a self-supported Iron distance triathlon.  In the past, I've considered trying to do an indoor Ironman at the YMCA, the Y-ronman.  Now, I'm thinking of the mIronman (say "My Ironman" really fast).  I can do the swim in Lake Winnebago (point to point), bike around the lake (and then some) to my house, and take off on a 26.2 mile loop, ending back at the house (or somewhere cooler).

And if I'm running the event, myself, is there something to be said for "rounding" the distances, and doing a 3-mile swim, 150 mile bike, and 50K run?  Crazy?  Double tough?  Idiotic?

After that, I'm thinking about how to put together a solo 50-miler or 100K.