Stepping outside...

I'm sitting at my desk at home, my kids are still at school, the bags are packed and the boarding passes are in my bag. My heart is already racing, and I haven't even driven out of the driveway! At some point last summer or fall, I can't remember which, I felt extreme excitement over the idea of racing the Oceanside 70.3.  I was ( am ) stale from racing many of the same events year after year.  This one caught my eye and  I registered. Just like that.  Done.  My 2013 started to take shape and it is clearing going to be one full of adventure.  I am stepping way way outside my comfort zone. Oceanside 70.3 on Saturday, a quick turnaround to a training camp in TX, and the back to the Lonestar state for the Ironman in May. (did you hear my voice shaking?? ) 

If you read this blog, you know I'm a New England girl.  I love all 4 seasons, including winter. Maine is never boring that way.  And this winter, we were blessed with lots of great fat white cold snow to play in and ski on!  What's the point? I am about to swim in the ocean, Bike ( OUTSIDE!)  56 miles, and top it off with a little half marathon. ( That part I have covered.)  OHMYGOSH!!!!  I'm staring out the window at white! It's only 40 degrees ( but really, that's kind of warm for us these days... ) and I have only been outside on my bike TWO Times!!!!

Yup... I've only been outside on my bike, two times. Yet,  I have pedaled for hours and hours. I've worked damn hard and I've put in some good training... but it feels very very odd to be heading to a race where it's warm and sunny when there's snow on the ground and ice on the lakes where I am. 

Time for me to put on the blinders and fly outta here. Once we land in the warm sunny land of Southern California (where, interestingly, I lived as a 22 year old fresh out of college. Triathlon wasn't even a sport I talked about yet... if it had been, I might not have returned to Maine! So good thing they kept it a secret from me while I was there.), it will be easy for me to fall into my zone. 

I'm excited to race.I really am. I think I'm ready to go push my limits and have a great day.  But I'd be lying if I didn't admit total nerves right now. However, I  have faith in my experience and my strength and so my plan is to just get out there and do what I do! 

  

Two more hours and we're off!!!  

scenes from Oceanside, CA 70.3 

The pier

swim start 

overlooking the run route 

I can't make up my mind!!!

I am sitting here in a complete flux. I have no idea what to do.

I'm racing Ironman Texas. In May.

The problem is, I live in Maine. This time of year, it's part snowy, part cold, part rainy, back to snow, with lots and lots of sand on the roads. Spring can be nice but it's also very unpredictable.

Texas, is hot. Period. At least it is to a Maine girl.

What on earth was I thinking??? Actually.. .I know what I was thinking and I'll get back to that later. I did this for a reason.

So there's this camp.... In Texas.  It's two weeks after my 70.3 race in Oceanside. It's on the Ironman course and run by a coach who lives ON the IM course. She knows the ins and outs of the event.

At camp, we would ride 112 miles on the course ( and a run and a massage and a talk ) and the next day run 3 hrs on the course ( and a ride and  a massage and a swim and talk on T1 and T2.)

Hmm..... it's a Long long way to go for a 2 day camp.  Travelling that far with a bike, isn't easy nor is it free. Ugh... plane ticket shopping is not fun. at. all.

the short summary:

pros--
two + days ( I'd go on Thurs) of solid training in heat and sun ( just like the race)
two + days of Training on the race course I'm hoping to nail but have never laid eyes on and never talked to anyone who has done the event.
two + days of hard training without worrying about rain or snow or cold temps... you just never know here in April

cons--
packing my bike and traveling with my bike and then having to reBuild that bike Alone!!!
expense--what is the Deal with the airlines these days!!???
travel and the stress of that alone.. it's tiring.

I can't decide.
I've been staring at various flight choices over and over for two days now. Scrolling between kayak.com, priceline.com, travelocity, southwest.com. Messing with different dates, different airports, different times of day, round trip vs one way... and I'm going Crazy!!!

Any advice??

should I stay or should I go..............????


But all that aside----
Happy Happy Birthday to my little man Nick!!!!!!!!!!! You're a true gift to us!!!!!!!!!!