Well probably not too much of a surprise but I have decided to drop down to the sprint Tri this weekend at Black Bear. With the mountains of the bike over my head it was my open water swim on Thursday night that sealed my fate. Apparently swimming in a pool with fins doesn't equal open water with a wet suit. I had a lot of difficulties with the 1/5 mile loop. I think I would be able to finish the 1.2 mile swim but I think it would take way too much energy and more importantly too much time. I would need all the time I could get for the bike and run and when I did the math I just didn't see it happening.
So I am happy with the decision and will move on. I will have to now do 750 yard swim, 18 mile bike, and 3.5 mile run. And realistically I need to get some more sprint and Olympic distance races under my belt before I attempt a 1/2 iron. It is a minor let down but I have (knock on wood) plenty of time to reach that distance and hopefully further someday.
Mike over here had a great post about reflection and looking forward that I can so relate to. I have been doing a lot myself and will have some more details after this sprint. Mostly it will revolve around my need to get back to weight loss mode. I need to shed about 30 pounds still to one reach an optimal health and two help me with my training for future racing. I am never going to be fast but I just want to be a M.O.P. athlete and I am not getting there with my current eating habits, and lack of a strict workout schedule.
I do have to tell you one of the worse things about dropping down is the feeling that I am letting down others that had so much faith in me. Trust me I do appreciate all your support and will redeem myself in the future.
12 comments:
Danno -- you are letting absolutely no one down. Do what makes sense for you. Honestly, when you put that out there, I was hoping you'd drop down. If your not ready for it, I think it would be worse mentally to DNF than to finish a shorter race. (At least for me it would be.)
I have so much respect for you for knowing what you can do and what you're read for and even getting done the training you have to get to where you are.
Good luck this weekend and enjoy the race. You've got a year to train for the half IM next year.
I agree with Jeff :-) You know what's right for you,forget everyone else :-)
The best thing you can do is to listen to your body and make smart decisions. Good luck this weekend!!
You made the best decision! Don't think twice about it...we are here to cheer you on whatever distance your goals are. Sounds like you really thought it through!
After my Oly I have kind of stepped back to rethink my goals and my progress and I know that I have to slow down, take some weight off and work on tons of stuff before I can even try HIM or Iron. There is no hurry, the finish line will still be there! And, we will be stronger when we do get there. :>D
No letting us down whatsoever! I hope there wasn't too much pressure by the encouragement to do the HIM. You are doing the smart thing, and we will always be rooting for you no matter what the distance is. Sometimes I feel like we have to keep pushing to go longer, but all the triathlon distances are hard! Heck, I think sprint is the hardest....I don't like to move that fast, LOL :)
Good luck Dan!!
Dude, nice job on the weight loss! I'll be going to NJ for a 5K run.
Ultimately you will have a better HIM race experience if you wait. Don't worry yourself about it. Maybe you can do one at the end of the summer.
Thanks! Im doing the Sea Girt 5K
http://www.seagirt5k.com/
So I shouldn’t have put money on you to win the tri? Dan, you’re doing the right thing and you’ll enjoy it a lot more. You have the rest of your tri life.
I hope I didn't make you over think things. I just felt like I am going way too fast. I have years to do this tri thing. I really wish I could do an OLYMPIC distance before I do the half iron. My swim is AWFUL right now and I have 8 weeks. I'm just glad the 2 half irons don't have time cut offs. Good luck and show em how the big boys do it.
Kid,
Do the best you can with the skill set you currently have. Good Luck and Godspeed.
Your friend,
Mark
It's the sensible thing to do :) Good luck in the sprint. The Half can wait! I look forward to the race report :)
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