The e-mail I have been expecting to get for a couple of weeks now, finally arrived today.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist, to figure out that a race in Mid-May, was going to get postponed. As a result, I was fully prepared for when this e-mail arrived and the only unknown was, what my options might be. It turns out, only one of the options given, fits with my schedule. I will defer my entry to the same race in 2021.
In the scheme of what is going on in the world right now, missing a race is pretty trivial. There will be more races down the line, even if none of us know, exactly when race season will start again.
The next big race on my schedule is Ironman 70.3 Musselman, which is scheduled for July 19th. My current thinking is, that even that race, is at risk. It may turn out that Ironman Chattanooga in September, will be my first race of 2020. That one is so far away however, that it’s hard to think about.
So what now. Well it’s time to embrace the process, and use this time to build a bigger base. I have weeks and weeks open, where I can work with my coach to build fitness. Then, when I eventually do have a firm race commitment, we can fine tune that fitness and get me ready for the start line.
Today was an easy 30 minute run session. It was cold and windy outside, but I got it done. It was one more step on my triathlon journey and one I was happy to take.
Phil, I appreciate your positive outlook towards (un)expected changes.
As you are aware, I was rather disappointed to learn the marathon was canceled. I agree with your statement, that “missing a race is pretty trivial”.
I’m healthy, happy, and still able to train. Thanks for sharing this message and how your handling the news.
Thanks for the kind words, Joe. In the scheme of things, it won’t be that long before we all get to race again.