So, I managed to avoid running all weekend – the weather in New England was borderline awful, but it didn’t stop certain members of the CT RBF from winning trophies. Which makes me a wuss, I suppose. We did have t-ball pictures and a game, but the kids were on the verge of making me nuts – should have stayed in bed…
Tonight, I headed down to the Y for a swim – hey, less than 2 weeks between trips to the pool! The swim was better this time, though I can really, really tell that I haven’t been using my arms. 1500 m in 33 minutes, 5xbreast, 4x5xfree, 5xbreast.
Still no real insights.
Actually, strike that – reading the San Diego marathon race reports kind of made me think. As much as I’ve really enjoyed racing – the camraderie, etc, and the general challenge, I think I’m calling off racing for the summer. Rather than spending a ton of time in the car on Thursdays to do Terramuggus, I’ll stop on Jamestown and do a brick. Focus on the new job. Focus on the wife and kids. Whatever.
But, I’ve proven I can go out and do a given distance. Now, I want to prove I can leave behind the belly. Next year I’ll prove I can stay fast.
Lifestyle change is what I’m really after with this fitness thing.
There’s a joke in the submarine community that ASW, or Anti-Submarine Warfare really stands for “Awfully Slow Waiting”. It’s taken me all of a decade plus to finally understand how that really applies, both professionally and personally. I’m looking forward to racing again, truly. But before I’m ready to line up again, there’s a bunch of refining, triangulating, and preparation that needs to be done physically and mentally to make sure I don’t get sunk like I did after New York.
I think I should be ready by Labor Day.
Bill,
With experience comes the wisdom that not every race needs to be raced into.
Capiche? Of course you do – it’s what you just said!
What?! No racing?!
But, but, but…I was going to suggest a Terramuggus meet-up…or the Kelley race in August…or something.
And to answer your question about the Pat…I’m doing the 10K leg of the Oly tri in two weeks. At least now I’ll have fresh legs, since I didn’t have to worry about that pesky little marathon. Heh.
“…leave behind the belly.” Ugh, don’t remind me, I’m still fighting.
you are going to come out flying in new haven. that is the race you were referring to for labor day, right?
you can’t go wrong when you focus on family and staying healthy.
There are two things that dictate race performance: Your preparation physically and your preparation mentally. Of the two, mental preparation probably plays the bigger role.
It’s important to make sure that your head is in the right place and that you don’t burn out. Enjoy your summer!
Hi Bill. If calling off racing for the summer will bring you peace and more time to focus on other important things in your life, I admire your decision. Have a relaxing, refreshing summer.