How I got here

I have a life list. Most of us do these days whether it's typed and saved in a file, scrawled on scratch paper or simply a list in our head. Mine includes some of the same as what many of us would hope for and some not so much: be a good mom, sister, daughter, friend; travel to New Zealand, skydive, blah blah blah. . IRONMAN.

Before I became a mom, marathon and triatholon were on my life list. Looking back, this was more because I was sick of working out to stay or be thin. I wanted a fitness goal that didn't base my success on a number on a scale or the inside of a pair of new pants. Then I became addicted to that feeling of success. Believe me, I wasn't breaking any official records, but I was making and breaking my own by finishing.

In 2002, Mr. Marathon bit me on the ass. A random day in July I decided, "Hey! I am going to run a marathon." (So says the social smoker and weekend booze hound.) I set out on my usual three mile walking route and was determined to run the entire thing. It took me 33 minutes. Two months later I was arranging long runs around OSU tailgating and happy hours.

Eight years go by. . one marathon, six half marathons, two sprint triatholons, full-time career, daughter and a divorce later and I'm training for Ironman.

Two months in, six to go.