Sunday, March 20, 2011

Decision Time

It's March 20th and I'm not exactly where I wanted to be in terms of training and planning for the season by now.

As far as training goes, my structure is actually pretty good - I'm approaching things a lot more methodically than I did last year.  But my volume is just OK.  I've been falling short about an hour or two a week.  And though in any given week I suppose that's not a big deal, it's starting to add up.

My race planning is a mess.  I'm not going to make it to Hawaii in June.  As a family, we just can't get the trip together.  I'd rather not go by myself, it would be a huge waste of money.  And what would I do for the rest of the race week?  Sit alone under a palm tree by the beach?  I can do that at home for free.

Originally, I had the idea of switching out Hawaii for the the Rev 3 Portland.  This race is in July, and it would a lot cheaper - flights are cheap and I have friends there.  But for some reason, I am not 100% feeling it.  Maybe it has something to do with not being happy with my training volume as of late.  That said, I have not completely blown out the idea of yet, but I'll have to decide this week.  We'll see...

To be fair, I realize that the season is by no means threatening to become a total wash-out - I've got a few Olympic distance races on the schedule plus my favorite local sprints.  And I'm still on a relay team for the Hood To Coast.  It's just that I don't have a genuine "A" race figured out for the year.  So since I'm a planner and it's almost April, I'm freaking out a little.

I've been thinking about some options.

Option "A" - Enter the Big Kahuna Half in Santa Cruz, which is on September 11th.

The pros to this option are that it's a 70.3 that is fairly close to home and late enough in the season where I still have plenty of time to get my training together.  Plus it satisfies my stated goal of doing a 70.3 in 2011.  The cons are that I know very little about the race and that it's only a few weeks after Hood To Coast.

Option "B" - Bag a 70.3 for 2011, enter a few more Olympic distance races and set some high goals for performance.  I would then enter California 70.3 in April 2012.

The pros to this option are that if I choose it, it will be fairly easy to execute.  And I can just get on with my training and stop worrying.  Like I said, I'm a planner.  So there is some attraction to making 2011 a focus year for mastering** the Olympic distance.  The cons really come down to the fact that I am also stubborn.  So while the "planner" part of me finds some appeal in a methodical approach to ramping up my racing, the stubborn part of me is nagging at me and reminding me that I chose 2011 as the year for a 70.3.

So what would you guys do?  Feel free to throw down an "Option C" if you've got one.

I suppose the good news is that either option still bookends well into planning for a Ironman distance in the second half 2012.  This is most likely going to happen.  Because even though the right side of my brain has not yet convinced the left side of my brain that my body is going to do it, it will.  It always does.


** Please note I am using the term "mastering" on a curve.

20 comments:

Chris K said...

Not sure why, but I'm leaning toward Santa Cruz. A couple of weeks should be enough to recover. I don't think you run super long stretches in a relay race anyway.

Santa Cruz is nice. You can drive. And, 70.3's are awesome,right? Is it really that big of a deal not to know the course.

Jayme said...

I'm totally freaked about Rev Portland. I don't know if it's the weather, busy schedule, or what but my training has slacked a ton. I know it's not until July, but that's only FOUR months of training away (minus taper)! ahhhh! While I can easily suggest to you to push off the 70.3 until next year to save yourself stress, I sympathize that it's a tough decision.

KovasP said...

I like the mastering the Oly schedule, seems to flow more naturally. Plus, don't they have big sharks in Santa Cruz?

krystyna47 said...

I like Option A -- you only live once, so even if it is just a few weeks after Hood to Coast, and yes you might still be a bit tired, the adventure is what counts, right? The journey?! I say go for it!!!! You'll enjoy yourself no matter what!

Caratunk Girl said...

I think it mostly matters what you really want to accomplish this year. What is going to have more meaning to you, and are you going to regret not doing one or the other?

But, looking at it as an outsider, I think option B sounds like it might work best for you. Then you wouldn't be stressed about a race so close to H2C - because if it bothers you NOW that it is so close, just wait. Well, if you are anything like me anyway.

Unknown said...

Your legs will be trashed after h2h. No doubt you'll be able to recover but you'll lose peak training and your taper will be effected.

Option B sounds cool and is quite pragmatic but in the end you will be disappointed you didn't do a 70.3 in 2011. You have a good base now for Portland. Just start to build, do a peak and then taper right up to it. Plenty of time!

Unknown said...

I totally agree with Jeff here. You will have built up fatigue and you might not do as well at Hood to Coast. I think Option B is great. Its a little longer than sprints and you can recover faster! Good luck in anything you choose to do!

Tri4Success said...

If a 70.3 in 2011 was the original goal then I'd stick with it. Option A. Hood to Coast or Santa Cruz may take a performance hit but simply knocking out that race distance could set you up for a big 2012.

Lucas R. Tucker said...

Option A.....just go for it!

Unknown said...

I feel like all everyone wants to do these days are half and full ironmans. I know they're the popular races, and seen to be the hardest, but what about just focusing on Olympic and getting FAST?!

I vote option B.

Anonymous said...

Bummer to hear about Hawaii, I was looking forward to meeting a blogger buddy in person! I may do Big Kahuna as well, but it totally depends on how well I survive Hawaii :-)

Agree with Catarunk Girl on the regrets consideration: Would you regret NOT doing a 70.3 this year? Or would you regret DOING a 70.3 with trashed legs from Hood to Coast? Tough choice! Personally I'd do the half and not worry about time, but you may be different...

TRI714 said...

I know you have your heart set on 70.3. Really if you are scrapping Hawaii (AND i GET THAT). Then I say revel in the fact that you got on Hood 2 Coast this year. That alone will be a highlite of 2011. Focus on some Oly distances, and sprinkle in the sprints you most like. I know you will be fine at
H2C but you are going to go out hard. And that recovery may be a little different than your normal.H aving such a short time to recover, replenish and then taper for SC, doesn't seem very smart to your body.

Jason said...

I would choose option B. Get your balance together in terms of the Olympic and get that 70.3 next year (plus I can give you insight) and the 140.6 as well.

If you aren't feeling it it makes no sense to rush it at this point.

Unknown said...

Hard decision for sure. Either one leave you feeling a bit relieved? If so, maybe that is the one to do.

Sara said...

Not that I am much help, but to me - those are both very admirable goals! I wish you luck in your decision and I am sure whatever you decide to do - you will excel! Take care! :)

Unknown said...

RACE PORTLAND! :) Yeah, hubby and I will be there and I want to meet tons of cool people there. I'm selfish... whatever...

64 CLASSIC said...

I'm trying to catch up on a little reading. I'll be honest, I'm still laughing about Happy St. Kovas Day. Funny.

Anonymous said...

Tough decision! If you wanted to do 70.3 this year..how would you feel if you didn't? That might help you make your decision.

J. L. said...

Reading your post all I can think is that "I'm so glad I'm not the only one that completely overanalyses a race and my race calendar" What silly age-groupers we can be!

Hood To Coast is an awesome opportunity, but I still get the feeling that you are really ready for a half. I also get the impression that you'd be really disappointed come December if you hadn't done a 70.3. Funny how that works now. Who would have thought 5 years ago, you'd be bummed for not doing a +/- 6 hour race.

Glenn Jones said...

Tough decisions. I all for setting an A goal and working toward that goal though. It took me a couple of years to understand that all those other races were doing nothing but getting in the way of achieving my ultimate goal.

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