Post IM Blues & A New Journey

So, here I am, 15 days removed from my 2nd Ironman and I'm pretty sure that I've got the proverbial, "Post Ironman Blues"  You see, after my 2010 IM, I started training for the Ragnar Relay after 9 days  and was back on the bike 4 days after that. This time around, I have netted a whopping 7300 yards in 3 different swim sessions.  I'll say that again....the only workouts that I've done in the last 15 days have been 3 swims totaling 7300 yards.  Here is what my "PIMB" mind is dealing with, in terms of exercise, with no real competitions in the near future:

• It's dark enough, and cold enough, in the morning so that I don't want to go for a ride.   
• My black and blue toes (from IM), along with the "knee area" issue, are keeping me from running (can't say that I'm to upset about that though).   
• Friday morning Bartlett open water swims are done for the season.
• Any errands, meetings, or other miscellaneous endeavors that take place after work can't be postponed due a "mandatory" workout.
• In other words, I gotta do 'em, so this takes away from afternoon rides, hikes, swims, etc. 

I'm showing that, back in 2010, I took 4 whole days off in the month of December....I already have 3 in 2012.  The good news is that, sans Thanksgiving, I'm still sticking to my diet and haven't gained any weight ( I'm hovering right around 157).

OK, with all of my bellyaching out of the way, I have started to put the wheels of my latest journey in motion.  For about 2 or 3 months now, I've known that 2013 will be the year I get back to my swimming roots.  I've looked up the various state records (and have taped them to the wall behind my computer) and have been scouting every USMS meet on the calendar within a 500 mile radius.  With this in mind, I sat down with Frank today to discuss coaching options and my goals.  Without further ado, here are the major items that I've put on the radar thus far:

•  2013 U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championship
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• May 9-12
• Short Course Yards (SCY) 

• 2013 Pan American Masters Swimming Championships
• Sarasota, Florida
• June 5-13
• Long Course Meters (LCM)

• 2013 Marriott U.S. Masters Swimming Summer National Championship
• Mission Viejo, California
•  August 7-11
• LCM

• Start making runs at the state records in the 50 free, 50 back, and/or 50 fly

I also plan on doing any number of open water swims (i.e. Tiki) and pool swims throughout the year as well.  For the "Big 3" meets above, I told Frank that my goal is to simply "make a statement"  Something like being in the final heat (the fastest) and not in the outside lanes (the slowest).  While that may still be too lofty for the Spring event, I don't see why it would be the case for the Summer event in California.  As for the state records, that will definitely take more time as they are wicked fast!  I don't think that I will be able to take them down this year and that's why I said I would "Start making runs" at them.....Let's see how close I get!

So, while this blog won't be about Ironman training anytime soon, I've still decided to chronical my reemergence into the swimming scene along with any other interesting events (i.e. triathlons [yes, I'm still going to do them!], workouts, meets, rides, etc)