Full Circle

I keep feeling that I wasted this year. Yeah, I did some big races. Wildflower, Kansas 70.3, BSLT 70.3. But, I just “did” them. They weren’t what I wanted. Not what I planned. I’m feeling short of my goals.

In January I was talking to The Comeback Kid about training with her. Learning to run like her. Be lean like her. But I didn’t. It was all talk. The Comeback Kid, however, has adapted to her name, and still has some remainder of the season left in her.

I wanted to go to Wildflower, and come back with a top 20. Pssh. Not even close. I Could. Not. Hang. With those girls. I’d say maybe next year, but I’m thinking that if I want to bust out an early season (very early for Missouri) half or even Olympic, I need to put some serious thought in the winter training.

I went to Kansas having done the training. I didn’t train to race. I trained to finish. Instead, I got caught in the hypothetical thunderstorm and was forced and early finish making it at 67.3 or whatever. Lame, I know.

Then Texas. Buffalo, actually, was a decent race. It was cold, it was rainy, but it was decent. I did win my division, but it’s not much to champion. No disrespect to any of the other gals, but, there wasn’t any real competition to speak of. I did however, have a great bonding trip with my dad, which I plan to repeat next year (September in Oklahoma, eh, Pops?).

This weekend I finish out my lackluster season. I would like to say that I’m going to come out swinging. Instead, I think I’m going to come out and enjoy myself.

I had planned to do the KC Marathon in late October. Guess what else is in late October? My wedding. I just couldn’t swing the training and the stress of it all, even thinking the runs would be my escape from the world, they became another hassle. At this point I may or may not show up for the Half. But don’t count on it.

Right now I’m pondering next year’s season. I’m sold 100% on Ironman Arizona- as long as they’ll let me in. I’ll have a new partner in crime, Corn Dizzle, making his way into the triathlon scene- he’s a professional athlete in his own right- a motocross racer that’s raced his dirt bike from coast to coast. I’ll have a tune up half- hopefully Redman with will play host to HalfMax in 2008 (USAT’s National Half Distance Championships). Maybe even KS 70.3 with the revise course in June.

Maybe this year wasn’t a total waste. More of a rebuilding year, eh? This is only my third season in the sport and I hope for 40 more. I think I need to let go of certain things for now- I’m not an overall contender, I’m not a short course speedster. However, I am in love with the sport. I am a triathlete, and I am, forever, an Ironman.