In keeping with my theme this year: “FUN”….I am having a great time..but I am finding myself wanting to go longer and do more. I think part of the problem is that we are having the BEST weather ever. You know, 60s and 70s and dry (unheard of here)…and sunny! It just makes you want to train and not work.
I was out on my bike today and my ride was super short..and I thought, “that is all!” I am so used to training for the Ironman that anything under 3 hours seems silly. Of course now I am doing harder intervals and harder overall rides, but I am having fun on the bike…and that was the first thing I wanted to throw away after IM.
AND, the open water is basically open now. Another sign summer is here. I am dying to get into the water – I wanted to go last week but I could not get any takers (boo)! And, I will not swim OW solo…you know, the water monsters will get me.
Now it is May 15th and I am starting to race a lot. I am so happy to race all short stuff…I am racing Galena this weekend…one of my all time favorite races: hilly and competitive! I have done it like 7-8x but it is still one of my favs. Then, I am doing a 10 mile run race over the Holiday weekend…then I am racing Leon’s…which is a VERY competitive OLY race in Indiana…I actually did the original ones (before Leon stopped doing the race – and re-started it) in the mid 90s.
Then, I am racing a little local Sprint the weekend of June 10th. I usually race Eagleman 70.3 that weekend. And, for those who have known me, know it is my all time favorite race. But, we cannot go this year. In my theme of “low key” it was not making the cut…and the final straw was it is Morgan’s dance recital that weekend. So, no EM for me (sniff boo)….
Then, the last weekend in June I am doing another local sprint. I am NOT sure who I think I am doing these Sprints. Gasp….And, then a 1/2 Ironman in July up in Wisconsin.
Then, I am at a loss. See, my fitness is actually very good for May because I am coming off the massive training I did last year and then I rested and now feel GREAT. So, strike when the iron is hot is my motto! And, as long as I have the desire to race, I gotta go with it.
The last race I have planned is my 1/2 Ironman in July…22nd weekend. Well, that leaves August and the fall to do some more things. My favorite distance is the 1/2 IM, so that is what I am thinking I should do…I do not want to do run races (not like a marathon or anything). I have thrown around the idea of SC Nats or LC Nationals, but that takes away my “FUN” theme….and while I am fit enough to race there, not sure I want to…travel.
So, that is what is running through my mind these weeks. I am training like I am doing Nationals….I am training like I normally do. In fact, I was on the track yesterday and FINALLY after 6 weeks of speed work I am seeing some times that I should be doing on the track. BEST workout ever. HONEST and hard. Most athletes run too easy and too much on the track. Get on the roads for that stuff. The track is for hard running and pace work. Every time I go to the track, I am nauseous with fear and anticipation. And, I know what I can do on the track pretty clearly. And, yesterday was a great breakthrough for me coming off this damn achilles injury from last fall.
Anyway, now I am rambling…but all I have to figure out is what I should do after July 22nd. And, NO IM please…remember, I said NO already to Hawaii…and I don’t regret that decision at all.
Oh and irony of this? We took an easy year b/c we put our house up on the market and wanted to start to build our new house? WELL our house is not going anywhere…we have had NO bites in 10 weeks. It is a horribly tough market out there …and while I knew it would be TOUGH, I had no idea this rough….so there is NO building anything until this house sells.
I am open to your racing thoughts – throw them out!!
um come to boston and do some sprints with me?!
it is all about fun in 2012 – i find it really funny when i see a 2 hour bike workout and i complain it’s so long 
missed you jenny h!
I have no racing thoughts for you, boohoo, I know! I’m trying to figure out what I want to do after this marathon and I think it will all come down to how well it goes for me in 3.5 weeks. Glad to see you’re sticking to the FUN program! xoxox
I will see you at Galena this weekend (spectating) and race with you at the Naperville sprint. YAY! Good times ahead.
Hey Andrea: nope, I am not doing the Naperville Sprint….I am doing LITH Sprint, in my backyard!
I am fat.
No words of wisdom from me as usual… booo. Probably good you have questions going forward, because I do too. 
Everything about life is hard, but we only want to share how easy everything is for us…. ummmm nothing…
Luv Ya JPH!!
xo
I really liked rev3 cedar point, logistically so easy for racers and family. and your kids could ride some of the best roller coasters in the world while you race!
Pigman in Iowa ( brutal awesome course) but its in Iowa, or Rev 3 in The Dells?
Those are in August.
Rev3 WI Dells, lake Geneva Tri, Illini HIM, Steelhead, Chicago Tri
Thanks, but I would NEVER do Lake Geneva. I have been there and it is a mess, as long as Frank Dobbs is in charge, I will never do it…NOT safe. I have done GI before and that is an option, love it. NO to Steelhead, did it last year and no swim, ick. Rev3 Dells is a thought…Chicago Tri…done it 100000x so not really up on that one right now.
Maybe we should all do Pigman in August….if Stacie lets us stay with her Mom….I’m still debating what to do in August too…or just call it a season after Door County!
Just throwing them out there … I have only done GI, others just threw out based on calendar
, but good I know, thanks
Vegas BABY!…….no IM! I had people in ST Croix asking me if I was going to take my kona if I got it and I said NO Way!
I have no race recommendations…let me know of some and maybe I can come visit! I just love seeing you hit the sprints!!!
It sounds like you are having lots of FUN to me! And that’s what it’s all about really. Our housing market just picked up all of a sudden – really fast – so maybe yours will follow!
My mom’s house is always open…she would LOVE it! I could probably be persuaded. I mean…you have to work on your weaknesses right?!? I could work on my HOT race issues there for sure!
Stacie
Yeah! Do Pigman! I am already signed up!
I could be persuaded to do pigman
I vote that one!
I dont know much in terms of midwest races, am more familiar with the East coast. Vermont is beautiful in August. And it is the home of the best ice cream ever. My vote is for Nationals in Aug. you are already doing the hard work, might as well reap the rewards. Or if you want hills, the Savageman triathlon festival in Western MD is a beautiful race in Sep.
Not being a local, I obviously have no recommendations for you. Just wanted to comment that 1) that’s a lot of racing to kick off the summer – rock on! and 2) I’m jealous of your abundant race choices. GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!
Come visit the New Yorkers and do Toughman with me on Sept. 9th! Challenging and beautiful course plus you can bring your family for a weekend of NYC fun!
And bring Liz too! 
Oh fun…but it is Ironman Wisconsin weekend, so I will be working.
Elizabeth too! HAVE fun w/ that one!
I have no racing suggestions but I DID enjoy the update, house included. That bites… but fear not, this is the start of the busy time, no? Everyone looking to try and get settled before school starts again? Keep the faith!