Pre-Race - Reflecting on Ironman and 2013

So as you can probably tell from my complete lack of blog posts this year that life in general has been pretty damn busy, more responsibilities at regular work and the store expanding has meant little time for updates about training and racing.  Sitting here in Louisville a couple of days before Ironman Kentucky, gives me some time to look back over the season so far and contemplate 2014.

I have high expectations in everything I do, whether that be work, the store or triathlon. Unfortunately there is is only so much time in the day and priorities change as you get older and wiser.  I started in triathlon in 2005, got into Ironman racing almost straight away and now I sit just a couple of days away from my 8th Ironman in 8 years (not as prolific as some!).  Initially the goal was to finish and have a good enjoyable race, then it progressed onto getting faster and perhaps see if I could get to Kona and the World Championships.  Yes I have got faster, yes I have got close to the Kona slot but no I haven't got to the Big Island.....the fields are getting quicker and the slots are getting smaller at each race.  The Ironman world is a different one than 5-8 years ago.

2013 is my last chance.....for a while. It's time to take a break from the Ironman world, mentally and physically I need a rest from Ironman.  I will return someday, the training and racing is something I love but just at this moment in time a break feels right.  That's not to say that I haven't thought about other events, there are so many great races and events out there, it's just about which of them to choose and which are do-able within my parameters.

2014 will be a season of 70.3 races, local triathlons and road racing with the guys......all of which allow for slightly lower volume and time training. Mentally it will be break from constantly thinking of how you are going to get the volume while fitting everything else in - quality will go up, quantity will go down. Besides I need to show that triathletes can road race :-)

In the meantime, I have 140.6miles to race on Sunday and to be honest it feels great to not already be thinking about an Ironman race in 2014.  I don't have real high expectations based on the training of this season, it's been up and down, but I feel ready to give it everything.  Nothing will be left out on the course, I'll leave Louisville knowing that I gave it my all.  If I don't catch lightening in a bottle this year, one day I'll be back to try and get to the Big Island (if the World's are still held there in years to come!).

In the words of Young the Giant, my mantra for Sunday will be:


 My Body tells me no, but I won't quit
Cause I want more, cause I want more
My Body tells me no, but I won't quit
Cause I want more, cause I want more