To Ironman? Or not to Ironman? That is the question...

So two summers ago I started doing triathlons. Partly for stress relief and a reason to kick myself out of the office before 9:00PM, fitness, and social life in new city. The first summer I did five races--four Sprint and one Olympic Distance (Los Angeles). Last summer I did only one race, but it was a Half Ironman (Maryland).

For those of you who aren't familiar with triathlon, you always swim-bike-run in the same order. The Sprint distance is usually .4m swim, 12-14m bike, 5k (3.1m) run. Olympic/International distance is .9m swim, 24m bike, and 10k (6.2m) run. An Ironman is 2.5m swim, 112m bike, and 26.2m run--logically, the Half Ironman is half of the length of the Ironman.

So here I am, somewhat adusted to my new job and new city after almost a year, and I'm ramping up for three area races. Each of these are Sprints. I had a fourth planned, another Half Ironman, but now I have a conflict with that weekend. Grrr. What can I replace it with?

In comparing my work calendar to national race calendars I have come up with another possibility for a Half Ironman this season. It's in October, in Tempe AZ, which also happens to be the same site as a new Ironman event to be held in April 2005, which also jives with my work schedule. Intriguing. I could do the half, and be familiar with the course and general drill for the full...

What on earth would possess me to want to do an Ironman? 10+ hours of training every week. My schedule includes lots of weekend work from Sept-May which makes longer runs and rides hard to get in and recover from. The time committment leaves very few social options (unless you can find people to train with) since you're always training, working, eating, sleeping, or replacing gear that you've worn out. RE Gear: it gets expensive...not to mention race entry fees and travel. And yet, I'm still intrigued by the challenge. The training is challenging both physically and mentally--planning schedules, diet, sleep, etc.--everything right down to your underwear!

The kicker is that you have to sign up almost immediately after these races open (a year in advance usually) or they fill up. I have to make a decision very soon. Now that I'm contemplating it, I think that I may have to sign up (a $500 mistake if I don't follow through). I am not 100% sure I can commit to the training time during the year. Not to mention the fact that I've never done a marathon (there is one I could get under my belt in December nearby).

What's your vote? Would/could anyone come cheer me on? I will need all the help and support I can get if I decide to do this crazy thing.