I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. When I was flying home from the East coast on Monday I was thinking about “why”. I was really nervous about Ross’s health so I never once even thought of the fact I was about to miss the European tour. So now that I know he is going to be all right, mostly due to the fact he was wearing a GREAT Lazer helmet, I am again thinking about “why” I am not going over there. I really like the following quote:
Always remember that the future comes one day at a time.
Dean Acheson
Maybe I don’t know right now why I am not going to be in Europe but by the end of the season it should all become clear. In the meantime, I have an enormous hole in my schedule where European travel and events once stood. With the change, first off, I will be able to attend Interbike – YAY! Second, I will have a break after Ogden which is another big bonus because I was really nervous about the travel from altitude to Europe. And third, I have NOTHING really on my schedule until Ogden aside from the Crested Butte regional XTERRA, so I have made some adjustments to my schedule….
I will be playing with my new toy over the coming weeks….
One thing that has been on my to-do list for some time has been a half Ironman event. Both Josiah and Conrad assured me that they are horribly boring and long and although I should try it, I will hate it. My buddies at the NTC in Victoria have said I would be awesome at it, I will love it and I should do it. So between the two the common thread is “You should try it”. So I will.
Not being one to shy away from challenge, I decided to choose a race I was pretty sure really fast people would be at. I want an honest evaluation on my first go. So I chose Vineman. Okay, okay, the fact it is in Sonoma near some of my favorite wineries DEFINITELY helped make that decision. Plus, Dave and Amy are fantastic and have been very welcoming so why wouldn’t I? You may remember I was in Santa Rosa for the BMC road team’s camp in February so all of this seems somewhat – destined? Those two were at the pool I was swimming at while I was staying at the Flaming-O. It was meant to be. I know that BMC was pretty interested in whether I would be any good on a road bike so I guess I actually should race to determine whether or not I am.
I really have low expectations at this point. I would like to point out that I can rock at SHORT TRACK. 20 minutes of all hell breaking loose. I have no experience with 4-5 hour events. That being said, I have had some of my best results at the Maui World Championships which is the longest event on the schedule with a monster run. So I don’t want to underestimate my ability either. Which leads to another favorite quote:
Whenever man begins to doubt himself, he does something so stupid that he is reassured.
Stanislaw
So I will just low-estimate. I have a trip to altitude planned with an extra block of base fitness building planned so all of it will be nicely punctuated by a longer event. Plus, (you understand I am talking myself into this, right?) nothing ventured is nothing gained.
So as part of my five weeks to my first half Iron program I have included the Canada Cup mountain bike race in Canmore (I will not be chucking my mtb fitness for half Ironmans… I don’t care that much!) and I will do the Squamish Tri the week before Vineman to have one quick look at my form before departure. Seems like a reasonable program to me so far.
I think the hardest part is going to be running on pavement, honestly. I am running fairly well right now… we just will have to see how well in comparison to someone like Sam McGlone. No matter how the event goes, I know I am right on track with or without it for the Worlds in Maui, so each new experience is going to help inch me towards being a better triathlete.
Thank you to all of my sponsors who have been so great about the change in schedule. To be honest, I think most of them like the new plan a lot more than my old one…
Until the next update, play safe and WEAR YOUR HELMET!!