As all this life has been happening, I've done my best to stick to the training plan and stay engaged in racing for the year. It's been hard though....motivation wanes at times and the many MANY temptations of Colorado life are calling. Swimming and I have NOT been BFFs since I moved to altitude, the trails near my house keep calling me to bike them (nevermind that I don't, as yet, own a mountain bike), the warmer weather is making me crave backpacking trips in the Rockies, my dog needs to get back to competition again after a yearlong break...
In addition to all that, the triathletes here...they really fit every single negative stereotype we have in this sport. After a good hard masters swim, I don't wanna hear you talk about your FTP in the hot tub. DURING masters swim, I'd like to actually do ALL FOUR STROKES rather than listen to everyone whine that they can't. Wake up, people are still triathletes even if they don't do Ironman. And so on... It's really become quite a turnoff in general.
What this means for me is, at the moment, it is highly likely that I will end my racing year after duathlon nationals in July. I have concerns about attempting to fit in long course hours when school starts again in August and honestly I'm just not that into it right now. Nobody should train for a 1/2IM when they aren't feeling it. I do want to stick it out for 8.5 more weeks till Du Nats though; I want to see what I can do coming down from altitude at an event that highlights my best sports. After that, Molly's Summer of Fuck Around In The Woods begins. Bring on the beer festivals, music festivals (of which our town has THREE world class events!), backpacking and mountain biking. This is my 8th straight season of triathlon and all I can say is, somebody needs a LONG break from racing.
10 comments:
Hey Molly I loved this post. I tried commenting with my phone, cuz I was lazy, and outside. I don't think I can comment with my phone, but wanted to let you know, I liked this... so I came all the way inside. :)
My best to you, the hubby, and the doggies. :)
xo
You have so much that is new and fun calling to you! Enjoy your first summer in Colorado with your husband and all of the dogs together. Life is too short to train for a race that your heart isn't into.
I'm so into hiking lately it's not even funny. Getting back into running too which feels great. Don't miss triathlon racing during the year and a half I haven't done it. Those of us with other interests probably benefit from transitioning in and out of the sport(s). You'll do great at Du Nats!
HA ok i totally can relate to this. Deeply loving my time with Mike who stares blankly at me and says " you are eating again?" and then says " you are riding how long? " : ) i will be partying it up in August here.
So are you coming to MN?
MSOFAITW sounds pretty fun, even though the acronym isn't all that catchy.
I totally, completely understand! I moved to CO thinking it would be a great place to train for triathlon. And it is....but it's also a great place to do so many other things, many of which you mentioned (hike, camp, drink beer). When I was in MN I loved training because it was something to do when there wasn't a lot else to do. So not the case here!
That's why I long ago switched from regular triathlons to off-road. I can mountain bike and hike and trail run and still do races. And the atmosphere at an off-road race is so much more relaxed and laid back and fun. Last summer in the transition at an Xterra there was a guy marveling at the completely different atmosphere compared to the Ironman he'd just done and he was laughing at the self-importance of the Ironman folks.
Though I do think Boulder triathletes are mostly asshats but that's due to their wealth not the fact that they're triathletes. Most Boulderites are asshats for that matter, again, too much wealth.
I am already looking forward to fucking around after IMCdA - hopefully I'll finish so I won't feel compelled to sign up for another one! It's been a great journey, but I'm missing other outdoorsy activities and can't wait to have weekends back for them.
Do what makes you happy and enjoy life! If you aren't feeling it then you are right don't do it! Good luck!
I TOTALLY MISSED THIS POST. GAHHHHHH.
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