What’s that saying, “An idle mind . . .?”
For the last couple months, I have been trying to slow my life down, but starting a new solo-career has been a major source of stimulation. In the process I have “let go” of training a bit. I’ve been focused on yoga, easy swims, and an occasional jog. But there comes a time when you have to glance at the map.
With that said, we’re going to wrap the bus in Crushing Iron logos and hit the road, but where will we be?
Ironman Chattanooga is in stone. That will be my A-Race, but there is no “A” without building the foundation.
I’ve been toying with the idea of redemption at Ironman New Orleans 70.3 but, I’m not sure it’s going to happen. They’ve made some changes to the race, which I like, but it’s a long ways to go to get your ass kicked in April.
The last two years I’ve done the Rev3 Olympic in Knoxville and that pattern will continue under the Challenge Knoxville title on May 17th. They also offer a half, but at that point in the season, I’d rather leave myself wanting more than struggle to finish.
Muncie is also on my radar, but I’m hearing rumblings of Ironman St. Louis 70.3 in June and that is much more intriguing. Muncie is a fine race, but I still have St. Louis demons I need to exercise from the 1982 World Series when the Cardinals stole one from my Brewers.
So, St. Louis looks like a lock if it shows up.
I’m sure I’ll be tempted to do The Music City Olympic in August, but if I do anything in August I will likely do USAT Nationals in Milwaukee and stay with my brother. His apartment is just a few blocks from transition and I will be poised to own the weekend on Crushing Iron after a cold-blooded-blogging-rejection by USAT in 2014.
Then it will be off to Chattanooga where I hope to be mentally and physically ready to push for a Kona slot in 2016. Considering I’ve never been lower than 30th in my age group in an Ironman, there is a ton of work ahead of me. I’ll have to knock an hour and a half off my best finish and I’m not sure where that will come from, but after watching Chattanooga this year, I can probably get an hour or so from the swim alone.