Tuesday 26 January 2010

I am back

Yes, after three weeks of on and off illnesses I am finally back....I think. I took it very easy last week and did the workouts that I felt like doing without putting too much pressure on myself. I just wanted to get back into training without any risk of relapse. So fingers crossed.

I think I have also finalised my race plan for this year. There will still be some running races or cycle sportives added to it but for now it looks like this:

31 January - Canterbury 10 miler: This is a great local race which I have done few years ago and I love running races so why not?!

14 February - Dover half-marathon: This race is organised by my triathlon club and it is a great race. I have also done this in the past. The first half is VERY quick and you go through it thinking yay I am flying, and then you hit the hills :((( So we'll see.

27 March - Oceanside 70.3: Really looking forward to this but there may be some changes. Read about it below.

16 May - The Marshman: half-ironman distance race half an hour away from our house. It doesn't get better than that. I can sleep in my bed and train on the course. Yay!!! Plus I get to race with loads of friends. It doesn't get better than that.

27 June - A Day in The Lakes: half-ironman distance in the Lake District of the UK (in the north-west of the country). It is a beautiful and VERY VERY hilly part of the country. This will be the second year of this event and some of my friends have done it last year. It was TOUGH!!!!

29 August - IM Louisville: I love this race and cannot wait to get back there. It is by far the most important and favourite race for me on this schedule.

So, the above plan is slightly different to what I first envisaged I would do. I was registered to race IM St. George but the thought of travelling there on my own, staying in a hotel on my own (Shaun will be deployed then) and racing without knowing anyone was really not appealing to me. I would not have fun and would not enjoy it. So I've decided to pull out and do some more local races. I am really excited about racing locally where I get to spend time with my friends and where I can have loads of friends supporting. It will be fun.

So Oceanside!? So far there has been no plan change. But.... Shaun is getting deployed at the end of March/beginning of April. So this is the hard part. If he gets deployed before 25 March I am racing, but if he for example gets deployed any time after that, I would really really like to spend some time with him rather than race. I am so frustrated about this. The problem is that the situation is so fluid, flight dates change all the time (for security and other reasons) and we really won't know when he will deploy probably until some time in March. I know that for some people out there it is hard to understand my decision but even an hour spent longer with my husband is worth to me more than any race. He is going to be away for 6-7 months and it will get tough and lonely and depressing and all those other things so I want to spend time with my husband now. So basically I am training as if I will be racing (and I probably won't book my flight until quite late in March) but who knows what will happen.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

If anyone can understand the racing changes it's me :) I just added China on January 1st and already have two IM's this year that I am signed up for. And triathlon is a hobby, your marriage and love for your husband is much more important than a silly little race! Enjoy your time with him before he deploys!! YAY for being healthy again!!!

TriGirl Kate O said...

I hear you on the staying put before deployment thing. So wish you, Marit, and I could get together post deployments (Nate, my son Jim, and Shaun) for some drowning of sorrows/commiserating. Glad you're feeling better these days!

Pedergraham said...

Angelina, I totally get your feelings about Oceanside and Shaun. Soldiers can't be flexible so that becomes the role of the loved one. I hope that you are 100% well soon.

Lisa T said...

Wow, that must be hard not know when it's going to happen. If you come to Oside, I'll be there cheering!

Courtenay said...

your local races all sound so awesome!

Angela and David said...

Totally understand why it's a last minute decision for you. If I don't get to meet you at Oceanside, at least I'll get to meet you in Louisville!

Beth said...

Oh my - I would feel the same way about not doing Oceanside if Shaun is still home. You are right - even an extra hour with him is worth it to miss the race!! And either way you are going to have lots of great races and a great season! YEAH!!! :)

Molly said...

Your plan sounds fun! And makes total sense to want to spend more time with your husband, I understand that completely! :)

Maggs said...

That's though not knowing when he's leaving. I hope you guys get to spend a lot of time together before he leaves.

D said...

Why didn't my comment post?
Whatever... I said stuff.

Marit C-L said...

Hang in there! Nathaniel is leaving right around the same time as well - maybe a few weeks later... this is hard stuff - NOT easy at all. :) I'm thinking of you guys - and while I would LOVE to hang out with you during Oceanside...IF he's still In Country, you definitely need to be with Shaun. After that - you can travel and race and that will definitely help the time pass quickly!

We should catch up and chat!!!! CHEERS and hugs your way :)

Mer! said...

Ditto to what the other military spouses said =0....racing is awesome, but having been through two deployments myself---I remember just soaking up all the time with Dave before he left...there will be other races-but it's hard to "race" if you're thinking you'd rather be with Shaun.

Your post actually made me tear up---even the mention of the word "deployment," is difficult for me to read---no matter what anyone says, it never gets easier and it'll never sit quite right with me. I'm so glad you have such a great race schedule to focus on for 2010 to keep you busy!!

Glad you are on the mend!!

Kate Parker said...

Sounds like a good plan! I know what you mean about not wanting to fly, stay and race alone. No fun in that..AT ALL. Good luck!