According to the person at the front desk, that’s what the YMCA used to call their “Healthy Living Challenge.” Apparently, insinuating that participants are lazy doesn’t encourage people to sign up, so they changed the name. Still, that’s essentially what the challenge is: an Ironman that you have to complete over the course of about six weeks.
I’m planning on going the traditional route: swim 2.5 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles. (I’ll probably be leaning toward walking instead of running, but you get the idea.)
However, they have… alternative miles. Instead of swimming, you can row for 12.5 miles or take a water exercise class for three hours. Trying a new fitness class or volunteering at the Y is the equivalent of 10 running miles. Eating together as a family? 25 miles. So if you’re single, no major shortcuts for you! Unless you give yourself 25 miles for every meal since you’re a family of one, take your pick.
Criticism aside, I decided to register. For one thing, I’m woefully out of shape. I haven’t played soccer in ages because I’d probably run onto the field, then just run all the way across and call for a substitute because I’m about to collapse already. For another, it doesn’t cost me anything extra and I’ll be getting a free t-shirt. Yay for free t-shirts!
I finally started the challenge today—the event itself began last week, but I had a nasty cold that was clogging up my lungs—and IT BURNS!!! My leg muscles are reminding me how long they’ve been neglected. But I’ll probably head back to the Y tomorrow and grind out some more miles, if for no other reason than if I put things off for too long, I’ll have to work really hard to finish and then it won’t be a lazy man’s Ironman anymore.
