Back to aimless wandering

Another season comes to a close.  Once again, I'm back to a state of wandering around aimlessly without a training schedule.  Although it's not necessarily a good thing, I'm now able to dictate my own plan.  What does this mean?  Typically for me, it means that with the slightest feeling of fatigue or a sliver of an ache or pain, I stop dead in my tracks with whatever I'm doing...swimming, biking or running.  I'm left with a feeling that I have nothing to strive for.  I'm not lost, just unmotivated. This certainly wasn't the season that I expected.  Many aches, pains, injuries and emotions leading to my less than stellar race times.  Despite all the bitching I managed to spew all over my blog this season, there have been a few notable accomplishments as far as the triathlon season goes. (Ok, I know, it's all notable because I actually have a triathlon season and I'm actually off my ass doing something...blah, blah, blah...) But what made this season different from the last?  I rode a century ride at a last minutes notice and my recovery time was still somewhat impressive after not biking far distances in a while.  I went out of my comfort zone and raced in a couple of different sprints not knowing anyone else racing at the time of signing up (this is huge for me).  Although the injuries were piled up against me, I still managed to squeak in a Half Ironman.  What a different season from last year! 

So what will I do now to prepare for what I hope will be a better season next year?  Well, I will be signing up for a HIM outside of the East Coast to experience something new...most likely Ironman Austin, TX. I plan to train for this seriously since I didn't take any race seriously this year.  I'm not sure what I was thinking but again, emotions were flying high and I pretty much didn't care about anything regarding triathlon.  I'm surprised, quote honestly, that I even made it to any of the starting lines.  Is there such a thing as post first season blues? :)  I need to snap out of it but honestly, I think I enjoy training more than racing.  I think it might be too much pressure for me which maybe, racing outside of this area would help me focus a little more.  We shall see.  I also plan on getting back to basics which for me, is running.  Although I hate it, I miss it.  Yeah, strange, but it does give me a sense of peace despite my sore ankles, knees and hips when I'm done.  I am old but not dead and I'm hoping that getting back into this groove will hopefully alleviate some of those aches and pains that targeted me this year.  My luck, it'll probably make it all worse!

I have goals. Life happens. :)  So my aimless wandering around the triathlon world right now doesn't mean I'm lost...I've just wandered into other experiences of life.