With the new year comes another year of checking out the race schedules and planning. Last year I did a total of two bike races and a big fat zero in triathlons. In fact, 2009 marked the first year since college that I had not competed in a triathlon of any distance. I was a bit bummed to have broken that streak for some reason. Maybe because I’m so into stats and records and always admired the Cal Ripkin’s and Brett Favre’s of sport. But I have no regrets. Last year instead of eating up vacation time to travel for races, I traveled for leisure. What a concept, huh? It was totally refreshing, not to mention liberating to not have to lug a bike around, worry how to transport it (including convince the airlines not to charge me $100+) and where to put it when the race is over. While I did manage to do two bike races, I was so out of shape and totally worthless to my teammates. I trained/rode/raced so little in 2009 while eating and drinking so much, you’d think I’d be fat. Somehow I managed to not gain any weight. This does bode well for 2010 but it still won’t be easy. It will be tough getting back into a routine and rhythm of working out and training after tasting a year of good fun, relaxing, and enjoying life. Having raced at a competitive level, my biggest challenge is myself and being patient while I get back into shape. Guys I would have no problems dropping (girls too) will go by me with ease on the roads and at the races. I vow not to cry when this happens. I will suck it up and just ride. But after this rain goes away…
So what’s on tap for 2010?
As always, I face the dilemma of bike racing vs. triathlons. In recent years, I chose to do triathlons over cycling simply because for triathlons I didn’t need to be in that of great shape. Yes, I said it. But it’s true. As a Cat 3 cyclist, you can’t compete if you haven’t got the miles in you (at least not here in the NorCal racing in the NCNCA). In triathlons, my cycling fitness (or lack thereof) is good enough. And when combined with a run or two a week and a handful of pool workouts before a race (pretty much relying on my swim technique alone) I can actually do well. Dare i say triathlons have actually made me more lazy? Crazy to think that. In any case, the fact remains that triathlons have always provided a much more positive way for me to compete especially while getting into shape. There’s only so much testosterone and attitude you can take in cycling along with the crashes and disappointment of non-podium finishes.
So does that mean it’s mostly triathlons for 2010? Not exactly. This is where I face my biggest dilemma that I’m sure a lot of others are facing. And that’s economy and costs.
Triathlons have always been expensive. But now more than ever budgets are tighter (um, like mine) AND race entry fees have gone up. For me, it’s making it a really tough call to consider doing more than a couple per year. (In years past, I would do 4-6). I still have dreams of Kona after a miserable ’01 race left me unfulfilled had been contemplating making a run for 2010 but today’s Ironman entry just to do a qualifier is $550 if you can even get into one. As of this post, all North American IM races are sold out with the exception of Louisville (a less than desirable time trial start makes you wonder how this is really racing or a true Ironman experience). Traveling to an IM only adds to the pain. With airfares relatively high right now and airlines charging exorbitant fees to bring your bike, after hotels, rental cars, and other travel cost you’re out another $1-2k even going budget. For me it’s not worth it unless the destination gives me another motivation to go. Even staying away from IM and staying home the races are still costly. For a premier event like Escape From Alcatraz it will now cost you $400. And that’s if you’re lucky enough to get an entry through the lottery process. I actually did get one and really wanted to do it but after much debate, I let my spot go back into the pool. Sure I could just suck it up and put it on my credit card and pay if off later (but isn’t that what got us in the whole credit crisis in the first place?) Or I could do 10 bike races for that money or four XTERRA races and spread my enjoyment of racing over the year. Hmmm… Maybe even try a couple smaller races that I’ve never so done before – ones I can actually get into without having to pay for it 6-12 months in advance. Although, if I’m thinking Kona ’11, I will need to make a decision on which qualifier to do and be prepared to pull the trigger once race registration opens the day after this year’s face. For now, that’s the plan.
