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Farewell Tour

The Vistancia Sprint Triathlon was last Sunday.

I wouldn't describe it as my most shining moment.  Nothing tragic happened, but nothing felt like it was going right, either.

I thought about going through and describing each moment of the race, but eventually decided against it.  To sum it up, I came in last in my age division on the swim and the bike portions; 3rd from last on the run.

Now, I knew well in advance that I wasn't going to win it all, I just wanted to do better than I had in my previous sprint triathlon.  I think I probably could have.  I ended up stopping to attempt to help a friend who had a flat tire on the bike portion of the race.  I wouldn't say I actually helped anything, since I didn't really know how to change a flat tire, but I had seen it done before...  Thought maybe all of that observation would be effective...  Although I don't think it was.  Still, I think his triathlon goals are much bigger than mine, and I guess I didn't see a need to not help just to get me a better time, if that makes any sense. 

I made the comment to friends after the race that the phrase that came to mind was, "Stacey's Farewell Tour."  I just didn't really enjoy it.  I can't point to anything specifically awful about the experience, but I felt like that was the sign I needed.  Ironman 2016 is not in my future.  I'm not opposed to doing another sprint triathlon someday, but I seem to be lacking the focus that it takes to get my [swimming and biking] abilities to the next level. 

Let's be clear:  That doesn't mean Ironman 20XX isn't in my future.  I'm actually quite curious to see how Mike Reilly pronounces my name at the finish line.  But, I think it will have to wait just a wee bit longer than 19 months.  That bike, that long, awful bike part is so boring!



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