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October 22, 2008
One Last Time
Yes, I'm procrastinating again. Why? Well because I have to pack today for my upcoming trip to Arizona of course! And packing is bad. Very, very bad. But I promised myself I would at least have my suitcase packed by the time O got home. I even considered trying to have my BIKE packed by the time he got home but that was just a fleeting thought. Let's be realistic here! Besides, I don't want to bloody myself trying to get my pedals off. The pedal wrench and I don't get along very well. Although I have to admit I did a very good job in Dallas getting my pedals off all by myself (okay, with the help of the diagram O drew for me so I could remember which way to turn the wrench...). ANYWAY, the point is, I will pack at least one bag before O walks through the door. I hope... :)
I can't believe Best of the US is finally here! I've been excited for this race since I didn't qualify in 2007. And now, here we are, 15 months later! I'm really excited to be going to Arizona. Excited to represent my state (and, I must say, I think PA just might do some damage in the state competition)! Excited to meet a bunch of great athletes! Excited to be warm! And mostly, excited to be racing again. Which, to me, is the true reward for all the hard training I do. I love to race. I really, really love to race. (although if you've ever seen me before a race you may or may not think I LOOK like I love to race as I tend to get a little nervous :)
And let's face it, racing is such a privilege. So I'm always incredibly thankful when I get yet another chance to "toe the line"!
So to Tempe we go! I am flying out tomorrow. O is flying out on Friday and my in-laws are already there! O's aunt lives in Phoenix so my mother and father in law planned a visit to see her right around the time when I would be racing. Worked out well. :)
Oh and did I mention the distances of this race? Not a standard Olympic distance race, but rather a "quarterman" where the race distances are roughly a quarter of the IM distances. So...do the math...yep...SHORT SWIM and LONG BIKE! Did they create this race just for me? :) 1000 meter swim, 27-28 mi bike, 6.5 mi run. I was in heaven when I saw that! But I'm no fool. I know what this race is all about and I know the field contains extremely fast swimmers AND extremely fast cyclists AND extremely fast runners! So race distance doesn't really matter. It will be fast and competitive no matter what.
So here's hoping I can end this great season that I've had with a bang. I've come a long way this year, learned a lot and enjoyed it every step of the way. But I have just a bit further to go...that is IF I get my bags packed first...
Next time...Arizona! :)
Posted by beth at October 22, 2008 1:07 PM
Comments
GOOD LUCK!!
Posted by: Kelly at October 22, 2008 3:30 PM
Wow - perfect distances! You are going to rock it, Beth! Have so much fun!
Posted by: rach at October 22, 2008 5:33 PM
OHHH, so perfect. good luck.
Posted by: kerri at October 22, 2008 6:00 PM
HA! I know, do you remember me moaning when jerry announced the distances?? 1000 m swim? UGH, haha. GO and represent BETH! GOOD LUCK! End the great year you've had on a bang! :)
Posted by: Jen Harrison at October 22, 2008 6:28 PM
Go Pennsylvania!....and GO PSU!!
....and get back to packing!!!!
Posted by: O at October 22, 2008 6:56 PM
Good Luck & God bless you Beth! I'll be praying for you!
Posted by: Wendy at October 22, 2008 8:08 PM
That distance is so up your alley! Rock that course, Beth.
Posted by: Bri Gaal at October 22, 2008 8:15 PM
I was thinking that when I saw the distance--that will be great for Beth! Good luck, have fun and kick some butt!
Posted by: maija at October 22, 2008 8:51 PM
Go get it Beth!!
Posted by: alili at October 22, 2008 8:51 PM
GOOOO PA!!!!!! Have a fabulous (and fast) experience!
Posted by: Audrey at October 22, 2008 9:48 PM