It just dawned on me that my fitness level today is where a sensible IM training plan should start, not end.

Let's be real. I might or might not be able to finish this. I always knew that if I get out of the water in time, I'll get it done. But today I know that it's a big if and even so, I would be scratching to finish. I would have a finishing time that is only there to allow the elderly and cancer survivors to make it. Not a 29 year old fully healthy male with a relatively athletic background.

This week, I'm at the level where I can handle 6h of training during the week, plus a big weekend, and not be debilitated and endanger my career. The idea of 3 months of 10hour training weeks doesn't appeal to me because of the open water swimming that it will have to involve and the intense bike sessions and the intervals and all that. But it doesn't phase me. I know I got it. I know I can train hard, and then work alright, and sleep at night. I know I won't get sick all the time, I won't be dysfunctional and I might even have enough energy to be a human being.

I’m at the start line, not the finish line.

With this though, I'm just impressed by what I did for the last twelve months. I'm no Ironman but I sure am stubborn. I knew I had it in me to live through a rough 12 months. Case in point.