skipping races guilt-free

I opted not to run the Raleigh Rocks half-marathon this morning, primarily because the weather predicted a nice day today and rainy tomorrow (so riding will be nice today and lousy tomorrow), but also because I didn't give a hoot. My motivation and fitness are fine, I decided a long time ago that if I didn't want to do something regarding racing & training, I wouldn't. Instead of racing today, we'll ride close to three hours and then run 10 miles or so easy tomorrow. I feel no guilt, anxiety, etc. Nothing except the urge to tell you, gentle reader, if you feel like skipping an event, do it and don't feel bad about it.

In other news, the Triangle OW Mile Swim Series has picked up a couple of sponsors - Trysports signed on as the title sponsor, and Cabinet Connection of NC has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the Nuclear Swim at Harris Lake. The first race is coming soon - 5280 Swim at Falls Lake on April 10 - so check it out if you want some early season open water racing.

Krispy Kreme Challenge & Spring races

My next A race is the Krispy Kreme Challenge held on NC State campus on February 6th. This is a serious event for elite competitors only. It consists of a 2 mile run - eat 12 doughnuts - 2 mile run. You have to beat an hour or they drag you off the course and feed you to wild boars brought in special from the Appalachians.

After that it will be the Gasparilla 15k on February 27 during our annual Winter triathlon training camp in Florida.

March will be a quieter month as far as racing goes. I was going to run in either the Tobacco Road half marathon or Wrightsville Beach half-marathon on March 21, but have opted instead to take a vacation with my father to Atlantic City.

I will probably make up the half-marathon plan on May 16 with the Inside-Out Sports Classic Half Marathon.

March 27 is the Smithfield Sprint in Virginia, which we are probably going to do.

I am linked out for today. Have a nice weekend!

upcoming races and events

We're hosting an open water swim clinic this Sunday morning down at Johnny Mercer Pier in Wrightsville Beach 8-11AM.

Our next Powerstroke clinic is on November 14 in Cary, NC.

My final two triathlons of the year:
September 19 - Wilmington YMCA Triathlon
October 3 - Lake Royale Triathlon

Fall and winter running races:
October 25 - March of Dimes 5k in RTP
November 26 - Turkey Trot 8k in Cary
December 12 - Jolly Elf Trail 5k, Bond Park, Cary
January 9 (2010) - Run for Young 5k, Raleigh
February 7 - Run for the Roses 5k, Raleigh
March 6 - Cary Distance Festival 5k, Cary

Notice a theme? They're all 5ks. :) I might jump in a half marathon somewhere but the goal is to drop the 5k time down to mid 17s by March 2010.

video blog

Tomorrow morning we're off to the Mission Man Triathlon in Burlington, where I'll continue to illustrate what a lack of serious training can do to an 'elite' athlete. The seven hour training weeks and 40 minute long runs just don't cut the mustard for a 54 V02max guy like me. I have a video that goes into extensive detail about this, but the camera is getting the best of me right now. Check back later.



After the race we're off to Sugar Mountain to hang out with Bri's Mom. I haven't been to the Boone area so it should be fun to check out. We might even do some riding.

Edit: We might skip the race since I am feeling lazy.