dating and the Ironman

I have been thinking lately how people balance a social life with Ironman preparation. I recently had a boyfriend who was a runner and a cyclist and it was awesome because we could go to races together, we did our marathon program long runs together for the Philadelphia Marathon (which we both did), and I never had to worry about feeling selfish for needing to get a workout in because he felt the same way that I did. We had each other to talk to about how our workouts went, or niggling injuries that were bothering us, or a run gone sour. We split up due to reasons that are unimportant, however now I find myself wondering if I am ever going to find myself in a similar dating situation with another like-minded person or if I am doomed to eternal singledom because I am too selfish to sacrifice my training schedule for the sake of some dude I am dating.

So how does this work? Do Ironmen only date other Ironmen? I am not even an Ironman yet but I am on the road and I will either become an Ironman in July or I will die trying. Can someone who dedicates hours of their life and (in my case) all of their money to a sport be able to date someone who doesn't? Would the non-Ironman think that the Ironman is just completely insane? Would the non-Ironman's eyes glaze over while the Ironman excitedly talked about their tempo ride, or how they nailed their nutrition in a long run, or about the newest carbon fiber accessory for their bike? Would the non-Ironman protest when the Ironman wanted to drop some money on new equipment? Or when the Ironman spent half of their Saturday doing a 5 hour brick and the other half recovering in an ice bath and then lying on the couch? These are things that I don't want to sacrifice but is that going to lead to my inevitable loneliness?

Ugh I am getting depressed writing this! At least I have a cat. I will be the crazy cat-lady/Ironman.