Should I do it or not?
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1324 days
Tamara posted 2 years ago.
You're definitely not rambling. We've all been in these places in our lives and need to figure out if triathlon is going to be a stress-reliever or a stress-increaser at any given point. So, I personally don't think you would be a wuss if you decide you aren't ready for another race in two weeks. You're new to this sport and don't want to get discouraged. If the idea that it's there and you aren't fully trained is upsetting, or iff a "poor" performance will bother you, then let it go and focus on September. I've done that in my racing career with one marathon and one tri. And while I'm bummed I didn't do them, it was a good decision for me at those particular moments in time.
On the other hand, if you had fun three weeks ago, and you think just being out there with others laughing and enjoying the sport will make you feel better -- then do it! Look at the August tri not as something to train for with a capital T, but as a mini-vacation from all the stresses of life. Think of it the same way you would getting a massage or going to the movies -- a few hours of relief from the rest of work and life. Then kick a$$ in September!!!
Good luck. Hang in there.
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1369 days
Anton posted 2 years ago.
This is supposed to be fun...right?
I agree with Tamara...If a "poor " performance would bother you, if you are afraid you aren't "fully trained" (what does that mean anyway, are ANY of us "ready"...ever, on race morning). Then don't.
If it really doesn't matter where you come in ,if it really would be for fun...do it. You'll gain more experience. Maybe discover more about yourself.
If you don't, you're NOT a slacker, just someone who doesn't let triathlon run their life. Sometimes the right thing to do is deciding NOT to go.
Good luck and let us know what happens!
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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deepbluex posted 2 years ago.
I think doing the August race would be just fine. One thing that you might consider doing is treating it as a "training race". By doing that, you can take a lot of pressure off yourself in regards to that race. Use it as a way to evaluate what works well and what needs work - equipment, nutrition, training. This will help you get to a better level of readiness for that September race as well as bolster your confidence by having more race experience.
blonde_lawyer wrote:
I guess I am just frustrated becasue I really enjoyed my first race and want to continue, but I don't want to go to this August race and have a bad experience :o
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BigTriDE posted 2 years ago.
I understand totally where you are coming from...my frist tri I finished on pure adrenaline alone...the swim was such a disaster, that I told myself, now that I know how hard it actually is, I really have to train to be a better swimmer for next time...the only thing is that I just dont have the time or energy to focus on just swimming, seeing how Im training for the Baltimore marathon in October, I told myself I would compete in a Du or two...run, and do the marathon, after that devote my winter to swimming, get a coach, really build my skills, so next season, I can attack it rather than fear it...i just didnt want to do another tri, stink at the swim, and then become discouraged...almost like I saved me from myself...I think its a good plan and Im stickin to it...go with your gut...
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beads1985 posted 2 years ago.
Make it a training race and learn from the experience and get a good long workout. Have fun with it!!:D
Nothing to it, but to do it
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1116 days
iron_girl posted 2 years ago.
Hello: I agree with all of this replies. Take the August race as a long training session then, go and do the one in September. Don't put any kind of pressure on yourself, just go and enjoy the day. For the great mayority of us Triathletes, this sport provides a sense of acomplishment, goal setting and the capacity to learn a lot about yourself in terms of mental and physical fitness, but by no means it should be stressfull. We all have enough stress in our daily lives to add this sport into the mix. When this starts to loose its enjoyment, then it is time to review your reasons for doing it in the first place. There is NO bad races, in my book, because, even those where you didn't do so good, are teaching you something. You have just started to practice this sport and you are doing it the right way, giving your body the chance to adjust and grow in terms of fitness, I am sure you have many years of races ahead of you so, enjoy the journey. Good luck in you upcomming races and please let us know how they went.
Maria.
"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious Triumph, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spiritis who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not Victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt.
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851 days
TriMoot posted 2 years ago.
Well, this seems superflerours, but I agree with everyone. Use the middle tri and training and just enjoy it, and use it to hone your form and transition times. But don't kill youself. I had just completed my 1st Olympic Tri and scheduled another one 4 weeks later. But due to some home issues I was emotionally drainned, and decided to skip the next one and focus on getting stronger and have scheduled a Sprint in about two weeks from now knowing that it will be relaxed and the entire family can enjoy the area. (It's in Rexburg, ID). So that's my two cents.
Paul
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971 days
blonde_lawyer posted 2 years ago.
Thanks for all of the advice. I just signed up for both of the triathlons--so I have to do them now :) I am going to just get out there and enjoy myself. Thanks for the help and encouragement!
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1116 days
iron_girl posted 2 years ago.
I am glad you decided to do it. Just have fun out there. Let us know how it went.
Maria.
"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious Triumph, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spiritis who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not Victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt.
Ok, so here is the situation...I did my first sprint tri about 3 weeks ago--it went well, I was super slow, but finished and had fun. So, I planned on doing 2 more this season. I have the "last" one firmly picked out and it is on Sept. 10th. The problem is that I have been swamped at work and had some other stressors and I have found that has hurt my ability to train properly (I am basically exhausted!). The other tri that I was thinking of doing is on Aug. 20th. Should I do it or skip it and just focus on the Sept. one? I am feeling really worn out (a lot of what is going on should be better after this weekend...), but I don't want to "wuss" out, if that makes sense. I guess the overall question is when do you listen to your body and how do you know what it is saying? (Does that even make sense?). I guess I am just frustrated becasue I really enjoyed my first race and want to continue, but I don't want to go to this August race and have a bad experience because of what has been going on; but on the other hand, I don't want to be a slacker and not challenge myself. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks for listening to my rambling :o