Here it is, mid June, and I'm changing things up a bit in terms of racing. After sucking big-time at Shawnigan last month, dragging myself through some training, and being forced to look at priorities, I realized I needed to make a couple of changes. My spring has been off-the-charts in terms of busy. I normally hate that word (busy) and it's a pet peeve of mine when people say they don't have time for "insert whatever here". Truth is, we make time for what's important to us, so really when someone says they don't have time, they mean they'd rather do other things. So what I'm choosing to spend my time on this spring is not necessarily the training I should be doing to meet my race goals.
Reason #1 - our puppy. Pointer puppies are high energy and high maintenance, but the time spent with her now training etc will pay off heaps when she is exactly the adult dog we want. So I'm spending more time than I thought I would be with her (really it's been 13 years since we last had a puppy and I think I blocked out most of it). Plus she wakes up every morning at 4:45 and refuses to go back to sleep... and I'm not choosing to get up then but the reality is I'm awake and my sleep is suffering, and my training decreases as a result. I'm a pansy and I need sleep!
Reason #2 - my job. For reasons I won't get into here (and those of you in B.C. can probably figure it out - send me an email if you want deets), my work has been crazy busy and I am spending way more time (and way more stress) at work than I normally would. Again that's not necessarily a choice, but I'm committed to making the best of this situation... June is already a crazy time of year and with everything going on and the extra work that has fallen on my lap has eaten away at some precious training minutes. The stress doesn't help either, but hey, wine sales are up :).
In light of my time being spent in different places, I changed some races around. First off, no more XTerra Victoria on July 6. I have basically spent almost zero time on my mountain bike, so I'm not ready for that race. Instead, I signed up for the Triathlon for Compassion this Sunday - I wanted another shot at a sprint race after Shawnigan went so poorly, and it pretty much had to be on the road. I haven't done that one for years, so it will be fun.
The biggest change is I downgraded (one way to think about it) my Vineman Aquabike entry from the full to the half. I'm just not getting out for the long rides of 100+ miles that I would need for that one. The half distance is perfect for me right now, and I still get to race in wine country.
Sometimes original plans have to be modified as you go, and you have to respond to outside factors. Training and racing is a super fun hobby, but sometimes life gets in the way. I'm excited about my new plans and don't feel so pressured anymore to get on my mountain bike on singletrack or to get out on the road for six hours.
As my friend Tanya would say: Onwards and Upwards!
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