Well... I've been kind of putting this one off. My race experience at Augusta was tinged with disappointment. I guess its only fair, since my two prior races went so splendidly. Still... I would have liked to end my year on a high note. Unlike two years ago, I have no plans to jump feet first into my redemption. My tri season is over, and we'll just leave it at that.
Over all, at the end of the day, Augusta was a most positive race experience. With the help of the current, I totally slaughtered the swim. It has left me wondering what kind of half IM swim time I could turn in without a current. I guess we'll have to wait until next year to find out.
I was very very pleased with my performance on the bike. I hit the first 10-15 miles hard, and it is here, I believe, that I dashed my hopes for a sub-6 performance. High zone 3 and zone 4 just took too much out of my legs, and I knew it. Yet, I chose to do it anyways. Yea, you can't say I didn't have it coming. I do remember feeling very pleased with myself as I walked bow legged across the timing mat and realizing I had broken three hours.
I'm not going to comment too much about the run, other to say that I am satisfied that I gave it my all. I very well could have ended up in the medical tent.
Which leaves us with...
I'm not ready to do another Ironman. I refuse to do another Ironman until I've mastered the half Iron distance. I feel like running is such a weakness. I feel like there are things that my coach has been trying to teach me that I just haven't grasped yet, no, refused to grasp. I will not devote the time and training to a full Ironman until I have beaten some sense into myself.
Planning is in full swing for next year. I am still looking at doing the First Light marathon in Mobile on January 10, 2010. My goal here would be keeping active through the winter and an even paced effort for 26.2 miles. I am also looking at doing 2, maybe 3 half Ironmans next year. Dee Dee wants to do a half Ironman next year too, so some of this depends on what she would like to do.
There you have it. In a nutshell... Augusta was another great learning experience for me. Learn me something and I am a better man. I just might be back next year. We shall see...
Wes
23 comments:
Oooh Wes I feel the same way about Ironman. My gut is telling me that there is so much left for me to do with the Half Iron distance. That and training for Iron just seems too overwhelming for me at this time.
So it sounds like you have things in perspective. Patterns over time will likely show you assimilating all of Coach's lessons and putting them to stellar practice. :-)
Learning is always a good thing. I like how you are thinking :-)
It sounds like your head is really in the right place about your tri-career. I think it's important that we all learn something from our races and from each other.
You still rocked Augusta, btw!
It's good to hear that you have a plan. I knew going into signing up for CdA that I would only make so much progress between now and then. So I may find myself in the same boat, coming back to master the half distance and then going for Ironman again. This time around, my only goal is to finish and to have fun training. But somehow, knowing that I'll have done it, will make pushing myself at the half distance a little easier. I'm ass backwards like that. ;)
It sounds like you had a great triathlon season, Wes. It's just awesome how far you have come since I first started following your blog. Great job and enjoy your offseason!
I'm pressing the "LIKE" button on this one.
me likey your plan. i think that's why im done with IMs - i want to master the HIMs :) people are gonna start talking about wes and kim, the HIM eaters :)
Wes - I think that is a SMART plan! I am so ready to begin the planning for next year but am holding off for just a bit longer. If Scott lands this job it will open the window to several directions I can take.
Yeah for Dee Dee... she will rock a half. You both are just too awesome together.
Isn't that why we do it? To learn, to learn about ourself, to learn about what we can accomplish? Sounds like you've got your thinking cap firmly tied on, looking forward to what 2010 brings .... for all of us.
Sounds like you have a really good perspective about everything, and I think focusing on halfs at this point sounds like a great plan. You had a fabulous season, and I think you DID end on a nigh note, with a superb race performance!
I'm so with you. Loved Ironman buttttt, there's just so much else - including getting better at half, oly, etc.
I'm so jealous that you're entering OFF SEASON:(
Sounds like you have a solid plan. I'll be interested to see what half's you chose. I would like to do the new Miami one, but the timing may not be good because we have a cruise in November
Sounds like a plan - but aren't the IM and the HIM completely different? Over here at any rate, HIMs have a 7.5hr cutoff so you have to be quite quick, whereas an IM is the full 17
Having fun & learning more about the races we do is all part of the experience. I understand about mastering something before moving on to the Big Dawg....shooting for 2012 is gonna be the year for my Weslicious to kill the big race!
To even contemplate another Ironman in any sense is amazing to me. To me, that seems like a one time deal.
Great reflections Wes. I love that your already thinking ahead to what's next!
I am right with you in the over 6 hour boat, Wes. I beat 6 hrs last year, but killed the bike at the Atlantic Coast Half (put it on your schedule for next year, super race!!) and suffered through the run. I'm also on the IM fence, because of this disappointment. I think my run training (for Kiawah Island Marathon) in the next month will make the decision for me.
Ah Wes... I know the feeling where you trained so hard for your A race and it just didn't work out. I understand your feeling of wanting to really get your running down and work things out in the half first. Probably a smart idea!
That sounds like a very smart plan! This is all supposed to be fun so do what you enjoy the most! You had a great year and I hope you enjoy the off season!
Nice reflections, Wes. You capture a lot here.
Wax on, wax off. Learn well from your sensei.
Thanks for sharing your insight and motivation. It's so cool to learn how other people process. Three half irons sounds huge to me - can't wait to follow along and read all about it. And - yay for DeeDee!!
Wes, I finally read the race report today. That last photo tells it all. Take what ya learned and get ready for next season. Chin up.
Looks like we'll bot be mastering the shorter stuff next year! .
It all makes prefect sense kinda sorta ish! I guess!
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