I know how this works....I scratch your back and you scratch mine. Sadly, I haven't been able to do much scratching and the comments on my posts are waning. That's cool. I never started this blog to get tons of readers who leave comments (although I always welcome them and am grateful for them). It's one of the reasons I haven't done any giveaways and don't really have any sponsors, etc. I've had a couple of opportunities to race for a team (other than Team In Training), but I passed those up too. I do this because I love to write. As I've mentioned in the past, I don't consider myself a great writer, but I like to pretend that I am. So I go on doing all of this for my own benefit. If someone happens along and likes what I have to say or appreciates my style of saying it, even better.
However, that is not why I am posting today. I've had to make some tough decisions regarding my upcoming race season. Essentially, there is no race season. I've decided not do any races. Why? Money is the biggest factor. I've even decided to cancel my gym membership. After losing my contract gig that was my steady paycheck and my son getting into the school we had hoped (which means tuition), I just can't justify spending $250 on a race when my husband is shouldering most of the finances; it just doesn't sit right with me.
I am OK with this. I will still be training at a maintenance level and if I find myself in a position to do a race, I'll be in shape for it. (Not a 70.3, mind you, but at least and Oly or less). I do have one more swim race at the end of May that was already paid for and so will participate in that. I have mentioned in the past that I hate racing. I love training, but really hate racing. However, I have needed races to motivate me to train. At this stage of the game, I am so used to having training as a part of my life that i don't need that motivation any longer. I am happy with the quiet accomplishments that are not spelled out on the race course. Of course, the PRs and such are always welcome in my world, but it has been a long road getting to the point where gains are made quietly and winning is not about the numbers, but about the self satisfaction of putting in a hard effort that no one else gets to see, but me (and my coach, figuratively) and about maintaining a certain level of fitness that I have become accustomed to.
I am down, but I am not out.
Last weekend one of the women I ride with gave me props on my hill climbing capabilities; that I made it seem smooth and effortless while still getting to the top fast. That meant more to me than crossing the finish line with a PR. It's something I have been working on, so to know that the work is paying off is fulfilling.
Anyway, enough of this drivel....Here is a peak at what I've been working at..a small peak. I won't say what it is for, but hopefully it will do well.
14 Savoring the Chiu:
I'm sorry you didn't get the gig! But, that's awesome that your son got into the school you wanted! Yay! I think expenses are tight for everyone right now. Hopefully things will turn around soon. I love the flowers...love them!
I often wonder if I would train as hard as I do without a race on the horizon. I'd like to think I could maintain focus, but I'm not sure. Thankfully, my husband loves to race even more than I do, so we're both content to make do without cable before sacrificing a race. Congrats on your little smarty-pants getting into a good school, that's always money well-spent!
One of the reasons I don't race often in triathlons is the expense of it all. I make 75% of our income, so I could spend money on everything I want (I could do that, no questions), but I can;t justify it to myself. This is also part of the reason I don't have a coach.
If you really want to do some racing, I wonder if you could cut down from something else? I give myself an allowance monthly, and the money for races gets taken from that allowance.
I'll stop my ramblings by saying that I like your blog and will keep reading it. Sorry it has been a rough time for you, but things will turn. And you've got a little smart one who got into a smarty pants school, so that is reason to celebrate!
So I take it Rhode Island is out? If so, be happy, its a crappy race :)
Glad to hear that your son got into a good school!
Have you thought about doing any of the SBR sprint races up in Harriman in June and August? They are on the cheaper side and Harriman is sooooo nice! That swim in Lake Sebago is also soooooo nice!
P.S. Are those your flower illustrations?
I've been a follower for a while but have never commented. I hope that despite your decision to not race this year you will continue to write. I really like your style and look forward to Foto Fridays!
First and foremost, you are such an amazingly talented artist. Wow! Just, wow! I'm so sorry that you lost your contract. :-(
Race season... this is a bummer, R. However, I certainly do understand; times are rough. I've been unemployed for over a year now and with two of us trying to do this triathlon thing, we have to be very picky with which races we can afford to do. Like your situation, MSL is footing all of the expense for this stuff. My tri season officially ends in July this year (very early) and then I'm moving straight into running, where I can find lots of local (and comparatively cheap) races. For the big event (Scott's charity bike ride to NYC), we are just trying our best to set some dough aside.
Things will all work out for you-- the will! Don't sweat the blog; I could have written the first part myself. Never forget 'why' you began your blog in the first place... as a way to chronicle your amazing journey and express yourself through writing. Comments will come and go and depend a lot on the mood of those leaving them. Rest assured that there are folks out there who are reading, even if they aren't commenting. :-)
HUGS to you always! Continue to stay focused on your health (those guns of yours) and cherish those small accomplishments. You are right... THEY make all the difference in the world!
Hi there;-)
Beautiful art.
and I say...ok with no racing. Turn your energy/talents towards more writing. That's free right? And you love it!
We understand how life throws a curveball, good thing is that races will be around forever and when they time is right, you will be right back on the course
and there are Ninjas, whats that you ask? Stay tune and hopefully something good will come of it
Hey Regina. Bummer about race season, but it makes sense. The great news is that your son got into the school you had hoped for him to get in, so that is awesome. I like your plan to keep training. Also keep writing, you are funny as hell and sometime I am going to finish your hat. Honest. It is on the needles.
Love the flowers. Gorgeous.
Sucks Regina, but it sounds like your priorities are straight with your sons education coming first.
I have a feeling there is more to this than tuiton, races,gym workouts, the weather and everything else but Regina....every now and then we need the time and space to look within. I hope this passage serves as an inspiration for you to do so.....
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
...take care Regina
We already chatted about this, but just wanted to chime in to say it sounds like you made the best decision for you. Wishing you an enjoyable and satisfying training season despite a lack of races!
Amazing!
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