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December 22, 2007
Quite a Conundrum
So this morning I was up and surfing around on the internet waiting for the pool to open. I clicked on my link to the Best of the US Triathlon to see if it had been updated. Because you see I'm anxiously awaiting to see what the Pennsylvania qualifier for BOUS is going to be. In case you don't already know, BOUS is a race you must qualify for - each state has a designated race in which the top female and male in that race is invited to attend the championship race. It seems to me like QUITE an honor to represent your state and the competition is fierce at the actual championship race with some of the very best amateur triathletes in the country.
So anyway, two years ago the BOUS qualifer for PA was the Philly Tri. Last year it was Pittsburgh. But it had yet to be decided where 2008's qualifier was going to be. Through my email discussions with the very nice BOUS race director/promoter, I knew it would not be Pittsburgh again (thank goodness - even though it's my hometown race I really don't like it that much). And so I was really, really, really, really hoping the qualifer would be in Philly. Mostly because I am definitely already doing Philly and so I could try and kill two birds with one stone.
But that was not to be. Dang.
When I opened up the BOUS page I saw that all the qualifing races were announced. YIPPPEEEE I thought! I quickly scrolled down to PA, hoping, hoping, hoping Philly would be the race. But instead - "Black Bear Sprint Triathlon"
What. The. Heck?!?!
I was disappointed right away for 3 reasons:
(1) Our qualifier was a sprint instead of a full Olympic distance race. Not so good for me. I would have a much better chance of qualifing in a LONGER race, not a shorter one.
(2) This race appears to be in the Poconos, as in close to Wilkes Barre, as in just about the farthest point in Pennsylvania away from where I live as you could possibly get. URGH.
(3) It was a race I certainly hadn't planned on so fitting it into my schedule was going to make things tight, in addition to the added expense of entering and traveling to an additional race.
But then I came to my senses. Because you see, qualifying for BOUS is one of my very top goals for my 2008 season and you better believe I'm going to do what I have to do to get there. So it's a sprint? That will be good - shorter swim - and to that I say YEAH! A sprint will be good for me anyway because it will get those speed engines burning! And because it will just be an extra race in the schedule it won't be that big of a deal as sprints are much easier to recover from. Plus, I haven't been to the Poconos in a long time and I'm sure it's a beautiful race. AND it doesn't fall on the same weekend as any other race I already planned/paid for so I'm lucky for that.
And then I noticed something very exciting. The BOUS championship race was moved from Florida to Tempe, Arizona! How exciting would it be to get to race in Arizona?! AND THEN I noticed something even more exciting - the championship race distances were just a little off a true Olympic distance race with a 1000 meter swim, 30 mile bike and 6.55 mile run. Does that race spell Beth Shutt or what?! A shorter swim with a longer bike and run? I couldn't ask for anything better!
And so to the Black Bear Sprint Triathlon I will go! Ready to race and hopefully earn that PA slot!
Regardless, after all those exciting discoveries this morning it was off to the pool for O and I. Just a quick swim and then home to do my long ride. My long ride isn't very long right now (2 hr) but that's just fine with me! It was already above 40 degrees and dry so there was no doubt that I was riding outside. And I had a wonderful ride. I actually wore a little too much and ended up being hot (still trying to figure out how to dress properly for cycling) but it felt WONDERFUL to ride outside again. I look forward to riding outside all next week in South Carolina.
And on that note - I must start packing! O threatened to pack his stuff in another room and then lock me upstairs to do my own packing. Could be because I absolutely hate packing for anything and complain non-stop until it's all done. Hmmm...could be... :)
Posted by beth at December 22, 2007 2:10 PM
Comments
Heck Ya! I love your 2008 season mission! I will be rooting for you and the longer the bike & swim... PERFECT! The BOUS race is a blast (I only did it once and it was pretty hard for me with the 6 hr time difference and not getting to the site until a bit prior). They just never have the timing right though, like week prior to Ironman this year! YIKES!! I missed it because I would still be flying from Florida to get back to my home it time for Saturday Ironman! I am glad it will work out for you and I hope you kick some @$$!!!
Posted by: Bree at December 23, 2007 3:35 PM