Ironman 70.3 Ireland - Tada Gan Iarrach

Nothing without effort.

Hold the phone...did someone say Ireland?  As in...U2, sheep, the Aran Islands, wool sweaters & the home of Spar!  (Ireland's version of 7-11)?  Yes, it's true!  I just read a press release on the Ironman site (hey, I'm not a loser that sits around reading press releases, they sent me an email!).  & I am sooooo in!

About 2 minutes before I saw the Ireland 70.3 post, I got an email about the Pocono 70.3.  Now that would have been great, as the Poconos are about 1 1/2 hours from home.  Not 1/2 a day away like New Hampshire.  But as I sat reading my email I almost couldn't believe my eyes.  Ireland, Galway, September 2011.

I've been to Ireland 5 times.  I really do feel as if it is my home away from home & if I ever hit the lottery or have the chance to retire in Ireland.  I.  AM.  IN.  Galway is on the western coast of Ireland & we went there the last time we went to Ireland in 2008.  We really had a great time & my sister got engaged on our trip in Dublin.  Yep, engaged.  & kudos to me for keeping it a huge secret.  So there naysayers, I am a good secret keeper...sometimes.  So Ireland holds a special place for my family.  I don't think it's going to take a lot to convince my mom to make the trip over there to see me race.  Hell, I think she'd go over there to get some Shephard's Pie at this point, but now she will get the chance to see me race & enjoy vacation!

I have been waivering with my workouts, not really doing much, being lazy & not following through with my plans, but after seeing this email I now have a new goal & it's important to have goals, right?  Right.  Well....now I have to start planning.  1st & foremost, get a good plan going.  2nd...have to start saving money.  I can't even imagine how much it is going to cost to ship my bike there, or where I should even ship it.  I guess I will have the next year to figure that out.

Dream BIG!  Live LARGE!

Tada gan Iarrach!