Reflections on Luray Triathlon and Changing Ironman Goals

I feel tired.

One week after the Luray Triathlon and I feel worse than if I had raced an Ironman (I’ve done 2 so far this year).  I’m mentally and emotionally drained.

But, this is what I’m about: “Using high energy to achieve a calculated outcome” per my Personalysis assessment from when I worked as a business analyst at Capital One.  I give 110% for a couple weeks then I crash.

I’m still crashed.

When I think about the things I’ve done in my life, I am perhaps most proud of the Luray Triathlon.  Yes, it’s a business, but it’s a also a partnership with an entire community – a partnership built on trust. It’s a “feel good” relationship where each partner wants to make each event better and better.

The races bring in 1,000′s of people each year to Luray who spend money on food, hotels, etc. then go home.  The Town gets the benefit of tourism dollars but does not need to build more infrastructure for more residents. In addition, I give away a lot of the race proceeds to the non-profit organizations involved like the United Way of Page County, Luray Rescue Squad and the Town of Luray because I want to help them and because they’ve helped the race.

So, today, I’m still “crashed.”

After Vineman, I went immediately into event director mode with the Luray race prep clinic followed by the Luray International and Sprint Triathlons.  Three weeks of travel and I feel displaced.  I’m back in Boulder, CO, now since last Thursday but feel like I just got here after being gone for so long.

Realistically, I don’t have line of sight to a faster Ironman time at Rev3 at Cedar Point on September 12.  I still need another week to get settled and back into a rhythm before I can shift focus to training again.  Yes, I could race Rev3 and finish, but that’s not enough for me right now.  I’ll take another easy week then start training towards Beach2Battleship.  I want a fast time.  With a “10-something” at Ironman Couer d’Alene followed by a “9-something” at Vineman, I would really like to end my season with an “8-something.”

We’ll see.

Hopefully, the motivation and desire will come back.  If not, then maybe I’ll start rock climbing.  Lots of options in Boulder!

Live strongly and boldly!

David

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David B. Glover, MS, CSCS
Coach, Athlete and Writer
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine: Fitting Iron Distance Training into Every Day Life
Web: enduranceworks.net

© 2010 David B. Glover