When training started this year, I met with my coach and we talked about trying to qualify for the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida. Without a doubt, I would absolutely love to do this. It would honestly be one of my biggest achievements in my life. All that being said, I have had this doubt in the back of my mind that I just don't have it in me. It definitely sounded great, but I had huge doubts that it was even possible.
Fast forward...I have been training hard for two months now and feel really good. So much that I have started to question the doubts. (I know, it sounds like a double negative) I have always thought of my athletic condition/ability in comparison to myself. ie; that was a good race for ME or I am in pretty good shape for ME. I have never had the confidence to go out and think I am going to do my best to place and beat those guys. Instead, "I am going to beat my time or I am going to finish in under 5 hours". Never refering to the 1,000 to 2,400 other competitors.
Last year "I would say I am one of the slower, fast guys". I am usually in the top 20% of races, but I have been creeping into the top 10% more and more frequently.
Its always my intention to race hard and I have been able to place at races. They are usually the smaller ones, but it has happened.
This year is different. I am by no means getting egotistical or anything, but I am not going to shy away from thinking "I can place". And I am talking big races too. Granted it feels great to win the age group at the local duathlon, but I would rather come in third at a 70.3.
The competition is ridiculously intense and I am going against one time college athletes, but that doesn't mean its not possible. I train hard and often. I sacrifice time a way from my wife to train. I don't spend as much time "having fun" or with my family as I would like to. For these reasons alone, I should think I am going to try and place at every event. I am confident that I train just as hard and do have some natural talent. Others have more talent, but that means I will just have to work that much harder, get up that much earlier, eat that much healthier and SMILE that much more.
By no means do I want to come off as bitter or egotistical. I still fully appreciate how hard it is going to be and how slight the margin of error is. I really enjoy triathlon and whether I like to admit it or not, it has become part of who I am. I fully understand I do this for fun and will quit the day that stops happening. All that being said and to some it all up, the question is, "Why not me."
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