Ending my 2009 Racing Season

So the time has come. I think I'm ready to finally admit it.

I am, with hesitation, ending my 2009 triathlon racing season

There, I said it. I have to re-align my priorities and it goes a little something like this:

1. Me - mental self, relationship


2. Nursing School


3. Triathlons

As simple as that bolded statement may sound, I really had trouble admitting that to myself and then putting it out there. Racing has become a part of what I do and to just turn it down was difficult for me to wrap my mind around. And right now, #3 was stressing me out instead of de-stressing me. Trying to fit everything in at the height of the season was literally making me lose my mind. I felt like I was letting everyone down when I couldn't fit in all of the actual workouts; at the height of the season, the workouts were more than 1 hour in length. I felt like I was letting myself down. Why is it that one simple missed workout can cause such mental anguish? Even as I type this I am completely hesistant.

*disclaimer - this is not me*

So because of the fact that I'm having such a hard time establishing a routine (although I think i have one now, until September) I have just decided to forgo the rest of the season and focus on 1, 2 and the imaginary #4 (weight loss). #2 is a lot of work and you know I've been given this opportunity, while still maintining my wonderful full-time job, so I am going to take advantage of it. I have to make sure I do well and pass these classes because one non-passed class is a dismissal from the program and we just can't have that. But, Let's be real...that #4 consumes my life. Actually, at the peak of the racing season it is TOUGH to try to drop weight. You'll here triathletes say that your body rebels or actually gains weight when you are exerecising 8+ hours a week - and you know what, it's true. Our bodies are completely weird things.


As a result of my hectic 2009, I've decided to scale back down and focus on being lighter for next season and actually start the conditioning training for the half-marathons that I want to run in Feb and March. I do not want hurt like I did last time. Or as my honey would say, try to make it a Trina stride this year instead of a Trina trot.Truth be told, I love the training more than the racing anyway - racing is hard. Hard mentally (I can handle that) but hard PHYSICALLY. It's the consistent workout that's goal oriented is what I love. The racing...meh. not so much. And as I continue to figure myself out, I do believe that previous statement is purely due to the extra weight. So now I just want to focus on me and school. Maybe if I do right by my run in my "off season" I can be in the middle of the pack next season.

Now, I will still be doing the Tour Davita(monetary commitment) and the tri in October (unknown schedule) is not completely out of the question...so just stay tuned...