A New Year's Resolution

So, I'm a congregational rabbi and tonight begins Rosh HaShanah. I often call these weeks my "tax season" because endless hours of work are needed to reach this day. However, Tax Day comes and goes. The autumn Jewish holidays go on and on for weeks. Nonetheless, I'm sitting at my desk at 11:25am and I cannot think of anything better to do than to blog?!

If you know me well enough, you'd know I'm a type A+ personality. I took the 8am classes in college so I'd be done early and I'd have my papers written 2 weeks before they were due. I begin my High Holiday sermons in June, or, at the latest, early July. Though, honestly, this year I didn't start in earnest until mid-August. It wasn't for a lack of trying but for a lack of inspiration. Alas, I eventually found my muse.

Yes, to answer EVERYONE I've seen or spoken to in the last 3 weeks, I-AM-READY. I always am. My heightened anxiety sees to it that all my "i"s are dotted and "t"s crossed. And honestly, with all the writing, prep and anticipation, I need a few minutes to clear my head.

I'm convinced that my obsessive-compulsion will serve me well in my preparations for my first Ironman Triathlon. Early, very early mornings. Details. Numbers. Very specific pacing. Cycling wattage. Stroke frequency. Etc., etc.

I love it.

My New Year's Resolution is to train for and complete IM Wisconsin 2012. Why? We'll get to that in the future. But I'll say a few words about when this came to me.

My wife, Rachel, and I spent a week in Lake Placid this summer. As fortune had it, we were there for the weekend of Ironman Lake Placid. That, honestly, was enough for me. Almost. I've raced bikes on and off for 23 years. I ran marathons for about 5 years. The IM always intrigued me. But I never really learned how to swim. One more challenge, I was deadly afraid of the water. So an IM was never in my cards.

Experiencing the town bustling with triathletes and their entourages, something inside me softened. I heard my calling. Watching a bit of the race on Sunday, I was inspired by the athletes who rode by on their tri bikes, and I was moved by the support of their family and friends. I felt sad. I felt like something was missing for me. I needed this.

Long story short, I've registered. I'll fill in the details of the past 2 months eventually. But to those of you wondering how I'm going to be able to do this if I can't swim, well, I can now. I swam 1600 yards this morning, including my first non-stop rep of 800 yards. Each baby-step in the pool feels like a major hurdle cleared for me.

So, yes, tonight begins the Jewish New Year. This is my resolution. I hope you'll join me for some of this journey, which promises to be difficult, emotional, and, well, I don't know yet.

Until next year, I'm signing off.