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November 23, 2009
Ahh...Racing
This weekend was a huge success. O may beg to differ of course. He didn't quite achieve the goals he set out to during the marathon but he still PRed and he still ran tough. And for that he should be proud. But he still has unfinished business. Prior to this weekend I think he hadn't planned on another marathon for a loooooong time. However now ideas for another assault on the distance have already been thrown around. Suffice it to say, next fall he may be lining up again to really show what he is capable of. Ahh racing, it's tricky like that. It always leaves you hungry for more.
You can read all about his race on his blog. As a spectator I learned many things this weekend. For one, spectating is hard. The hardest part of all is scanning the thousands of faces that run past looking for the people you are trying to find. It doesn't sound tiring but it was!
I also learned that it's very difficult to watch someone you love with all your heart struggle. I have to give it up to O - he's seen me struggle in MANY races (like really bad struggle sometimes) but he keeps coming back for more. When I saw O right before the 26 mile marker on Sunday I could certainly see him physically struggling (we affectionately named his stride at that point "The Tinman" because he couldn't bend his knees!) but I could also see the disappointment in his eyes. And it really broke my heart. Of course I was SO EXTREMELY PROUD of him for doing what he did but I also very well know the crush of not meeting a goal after putting so much into something. So I hurt for him.
But it was nothing a little pizza and pop couldn't fix after the race! :) And he will be just fine. He's already talking of next year's goals. Like I said...ahh...racing. :)
So we had a great weekend and Philly treated us well! We didn't get lost. We stayed in a great hotel. We ate good food. And we laughed! Oh how we laughed! And that's all the more you can ever really ask for.
In other news, today I signed up for IMAZ. HA! Kind of kooky! I am so, so excited though. Really, really excited. I am glad I waited to sign up for an IM. Over the past 3 years I've had points where I felt like I SHOULD sign up for one but I didn't really have a burning desire to train for it. I'm no dummy - IM training is the real deal. I know the committment it will take and I'm more than well aware of the toll it takes physically on the body. But I've finally gotten to the point where I really do want to take on the challenge. I have done a lot of the short course races that I wanted to do (not that I won't quickly return to them after IMAZ is over!) and so the next natural progression was to take on something new and exciting!
So why IMAZ? Well the biggest part of that decision is that I wanted to do a late season IM so that I could still do a bunch of short course racing at the beginning of the year. I HEART racing! And I didn't want to have an IM right in the middle of the summer where I might not be able to do much racing afterwards. I don't really recover the fastest after races so I can only imagine what an IM will do to me. So really it was either IMFL or IMAZ and I like Arizona better. Not really but at least the swim isn't in the ocean in AZ. :)
So yes! Several 70.3s and a few Olympics (as well as some running, swimming and cycling races) from March to August. Break in August. Start of 2nd season in late August/early September and IM in November. Sounds like a plan! (although we all know how far planning gets you...) Ahh...racing... :) 2010 here we come!
Posted by beth at November 23, 2009 7:10 PM
Comments
Woohoo! Congrats to Oscar and you for signing up for IMAZ. Woohoo!
Posted by: Maggs at November 23, 2009 9:00 PM
I thought you would never turn over to the dark side: ironman. crazy.
Posted by: Kelly at November 23, 2009 10:32 PM
The difference between you and I. Signing up for an IM is exciting for you. For me it would be SCARY!!
I know you will do great!! As to Oscar that ride home had to be brutal. I would probably never have stopped laughing, as I would be cracking jokes at how sore he must have been.
Posted by: Steve at November 24, 2009 2:48 AM
That is so exciting that you signed up for IMAZ!!! I think a late season IM is smart considering you live in Pittsburgh. We tried training for a June IM after we moved to Philly in Feb and it didn't work out so well. At least you will have nice weather for your crazy long rides.
Sorry to hear that you had see your husband suffer. I agree that it is so hard to see a loved one in extreme pain. My husband just figured out his race schedule and is planning on doing the Steamboat marathon next year since we heard it is basically down hill and a super fast course.
Posted by: Rebecca at November 24, 2009 7:50 AM
Congrats to Oscar! Sounds like he is hungry for his next attempt so the day was a success!
And you love long seasons, don't you? Very exciting that you decided to pull the trigger on IM.
Posted by: Angela Kidd at November 24, 2009 10:03 AM
Yeah! Exciting news about the IM!!! I am sure O trashed the course even if he didn't hit his PR. It will be a lot of fun to follow your training adventures next year, esp with the IM. I am still not committed to going that far yet so I will learn from you!
Posted by: Jennifer Cunnane at November 24, 2009 10:49 AM
O will get his PR soon! You're going to have a great 2010!
Posted by: Charisa at November 24, 2009 3:22 PM
I knew you would eventually sign up for an ironman! I figured you would do Lake Placid or something At least we get to keep you doing the "fun stuff" for the early part of the year ;)
Posted by: maija at November 24, 2009 8:16 PM
You show that sometimes women fill the sherpa shoes. Re: the tinman, hahaha, oh, I mean NOT funny, Beth. Anyway, you two have an incredible connection...
an IM? you go, girl!
Posted by: Lindsey Jerdonek at November 28, 2009 3:07 PM