Ironman ponderings and The Biggest Loser

As some of you may know, it is my intention to train for, and attempt, an Ironman Triathlon at some point in the near future. Originally I had picked a goal to do Ironman Tempe in November of 2011. I was not quite ready to make the commitment when the registration opened, as I still have a nagging little tendon issue in my foot and I also have some more weight to lose before I feel like I would have a comfortable training season (I realize this is an oxymoron). If you do not sign up on the day that registration opens you pretty much miss your chance for the event, so I was forced to realign my goal a little. The plan now is to do Ironman Wisconsin in September 2012.
earlier today I was thinking about Ironman and I was forced to ask myself the question: "why do I even want to DO this thing, anyway?" I'm not a triathlete. Well, I'm not a triathlete in the way that most of my friends seem to be, anyway. They sign up for multiple races every year in all different distances and they start planning their events out a good 6 months from their season.
As for me: I have only done one triathlon and it was a bad experience. I had a terrible cold the day of the event, I had a pinched nerve in my neck and I was sunburned. Just to round out the visual, let's just throw in the fact that I HATE swimming and that should help you paint a picture of how well THAT event went...
When I compare myself to my tri-friends there is no doubt that I am quite different... but maybe that's not a bad thing. I have always done things my own way and I have accepted the fact that i will probably never do too much "shop talk" with my friends that are hard-core triathletes. Of course there is some of that stuff, but an essential component that is missing is my passion for competing, so I don't think our training conversations are always as productive as they could be. Which, again, is not a bad thing. I also realize that this is something that might change for me as I start immersing myself in some triathlon training...
Mind you, I am no stranger to endurance events. I have completed 7 100 mile bike events, a marathon, a half marathon, 2 duathlons etc etc. My primary roadblock when it comes to tri-ing a tri is that I hate swimming.
So back to my question: I was thinking about both the intrinsic and extrinsic reasons that I would like to complete an IM. First the extrinsic: It's pretty prestigious, and who doesn't enjoy a little prestige? Completing an IM is something that less than 1% of the population has done (I believe the percent of people who eat their own fecal matter falls into this percentage range, too. -A little less prestigious, but still elite, nonetheless.)
There are tremendous bragging rights that come along with completing an Ironman, as there very well should be. It takes extreme dedication, determination and drive to complete the event. Not to mention, you basically give up your life for 9 months in order to train. Plus finishing the event gives you access to some pretty awesome finishers gear. :)
Swag and bragging rights have never been extremely powerful motivators for me though, so now would be a great time to discuss a couple of the intrinsic reasons why I want to attempt this goal...
We all have heard the saying: Know thyself. Well, I know myself and I know that I function best when I have set a goal. I'm more disciplined, more dedicated, more focused. Essentially I'm more of the person I want to be when I have a goal. and not just a goal, a BIG goal. I have set this goal, and even though I have not signed up for the event yet, I am already focusing on success by trying to lose weight, fix my foot and prepare financially for the onslaught that training will bring.
If I am completely honest with myself, I have to admit that one of the biggest reasons that I want to attempt this is because I do not know if I can do it, and a little part of me thinks that I will not be able to do it. I suppose that would prompt some people to ask why would I even try, then?
Because if I don't try, then I'll never know. And a small part of me things that I might not be able to do this, but a very large part of me knows that I can. I think I will take my chances. :)

Ok, enough of that. It is Friday night and I just got home from a super yummy dinner at Beni Hana. It was a well-earned dinner, treated by a friend for losing a bet. The bet was a challenge to see who could lose the most weight in a two month period. Obviously I won, but I think this past month I have officially gained back most of that weight. Not an uncommon theme with me - that constant struggle to maintain a lifestyle that promotes the good and leaves no place for the bad. Unfortunately I tend to waiver back and forth.
On Tuesday we are starting a Biggest Loser competition in the office, so there has been much chatter about weight, exercising and losing lbs as of late. It all has reminded me that I am not alone in this constant quest for health.
One thing that I observed on Friday was that lots of peeps at the office have a very poor body image. I wish I would have thought to count the number of people I heard making remarks like, "good, time to get my fat ass in shape", and "it's time to stop stuffing my fat face full of cookies". Are we really all that hard on ourselves? It was sort of a bummer to hear it coming from so many people, and it also reminded me that i do the same thing!! I wish I did not do that. It's not even really an accurate reflection of what I think of myself. It's just self-deprecating humor... but no one else would ever know that! So I am making a pact with myself: The buck stops here. No more negative words about body image. Not even in jest. I hope to encourage the people on my BL team to do the same.
Your turn to weigh in. Thoughts on Ironman, either for yourself or what I was chatting about. Also, what are you doing to try and get fit, stay healthy or make changes in your life? :)