It’s funny.

When I was looking back at my races and everything I did in 2014, I didn’t really think I did anything “new” in my races.

Since starting triathlons five years ago, I’ve increased my race distances each year. But not this past year.

I started with the sprint distance, which was usually about 14 total miles, and continued the next year into the Olympic distance (33 miles).

The following year, I went to the Ironman 70.3 (Half-Ironman) distance.

Each year, and every race I completed, I felt like I was actually ready to take the step up into the next distance.

This year, though, I stuck with the Ironman 70.3 distance to get one more under my belt before moving forward.

However, looking back, I realized that while I didn’t increase my distance in triathlons, I did complete RAIN, a 160-mile bike race across Indiana, and ran a 50k trail ultramarathon here in Jackson County.

While these races were challenging, my eyes have stayed focused toward the big prize: Ironman Louisville 2015.

It will be everything all put together — the 2.4 mile swim,

112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.

The big shebang.

I think that’s how I’ve gotten through these other big races without freaking out. In my mind, they aren’t as tough as putting everything all together.

My eyes are just focused on the big one.

I know that the races I’ve completed are formidable in themselves.

As my husband would say, “You’re in your own world of crazy.”

But all I see is 140.6 miles across and around Louisville, Kentucky.

Looking toward 2015, I already have a partial plan in place. I’ve been accepted on a national triathlon team, Seymour Multisport, and am going to be sponsored by them.

It’s a great honor, and I want to make sure that I compete well enough in my races to feel good about being a part of them.

So far, my race plan for 2015 is to run the Seymour half-marathon, ride RAIN again, and complete Ironman Steelhead 70.3 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

I’ve had a coach, Greg Reasoner, to keep me accountable and on the right path toward success. All of these things will be leading toward my first full Ironman.

It’s all exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Stacey Parisi is a Seymour native and resident. Her columns will appear regularly in The Tribune as she trains to compete in Ironman Louisville 2015.