PIMNWS: Post Ironman Now What Syndrome

Many of you suffer from this dreadful affliction known in the endurance multi-sport world as PIMNWS, or Post Ironman Now What Syndrome. This is a serious illness that affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of ironman triathletes each year, but is especially prevalent—although not invariably—among first-timers. Those of us who are fresh off the throws of our first Iron distance event understand the insaneness that ensues immediately following an ironman event. Thoughts like:

"I bet I could have run that marathon an hour faster... maybe I will do another marathon in a couple of weeks... I should be fine by then."

OR

"... I had fun at Placid. I am going to sign up for Cour d'Alene and Wisconsin for next year."

OR

"If I had a faster bike, I could probably make Kona."

OR

"I wonder if I could secretly train, so that my wife would not know I was contemplating another Ironman."

OR

"do you think everyone notices that I can always steer my conversation towards triathlon and Ironman?"


Whatever the cause of the madness, as your new self-proclaimed Triathlon Doctor (much in the way that Michael Jackson declared himself "The King of Pop,") I suggest a healthy dose of letting your friends talk to you about how mad you've gotten. And, this is no ordinary mad... this is full-blown George III mad! Post Ironman Now What Syndrome often includes moments of mystic exaltation where the subject thinks they can run a 50K just weeks following an Ironman, or they start looking into Adventure Racing, climbing the Himalayas, or my new obsessions, the Ragnar Relay . I TRIPLE-DOG dare you to tell me that this does not look like GREAT FUN!  Would you believe I know eleven other insane people?  I am hoping my friend, and fellow blogger Kelly over at trimommylife and her husband might take part. Feel free to check out her blog and give her a special—nudge-nudge, wink-wink—for me. 


In short, Ironman has not left me tired, and depleted of energy—rather—it has given me a renewed energy, a new focus, and has made me want to work even harder (and SMARTER) this off season to be even more successful next season. 


Okay—that's all I got. 


NEXT UP: My review of my new AWESOME Lazer aero helmet!!!