This Ironman training is tough! Peter has me clicking on all cylinders and my training is progressing rapidly. I think the hardest part of Ironman training is juggling a full work and family schedule with training. You find yourself trying to balance work, family, and training all at the same time. In order to accomplish my training plan I have decided to knock out at least one work out between 5 - 7 am. On days that I have more than one training event I reserve my lunch hour for logging additional miles. Brick training simply means an earlier start to my day.

I have realized that to be a successful Ironman triathlete I have to maintain focus and attention on the important things in life like family and work. My family has been great supporting me as I follow Peter's training plan for IM Arizona. My 4-5 hour Swami's bike ride consumes a large chunk of my day.

Luckily, I have an understanding wife who is a triathlete. This Sunday was a perfect example. It takes a special woman to get out and hit the road for a 13 mile run before breakfast! We followed up the run with a ninety minute family bike ride.

My thirteen year old son is just starting to get into cycling. We have been slowly introducing him to running, swimming, and biking. We recently gave him my wife's old road bike. My wife borrowed my son a pair of her biking shorts for the ride and my son found out that wearing a pair of underwear under your biking shorts isn't a good idea. The important take away for me was the fact that I have my family involved in my Ironman goal and they are supporting my dream to become an Ironman.

Ironman training is time consuming and requires the aspiring athlete to set aside countless hours of precious family time to achieve the dream. This week I learned that becoming an Ironman is really a "team"

effort requiring an understanding and dedicated family to support you. If any future Ironman triathletes are reading this I suggest that you sit down with your family and figure out a way to get them involved in your training. Getting the whole family involved in your training schedule will pay big dividends and make the goal of becoming an Ironman a shared family experience.