The season is ending...

The season is ending....it is October 2nd and I have 12 days until my final triathlon of the season, the US Open Triathlon in Dallas. I was pretty impressed with my training and racing for this year...thinking I would not get a lot of races in or do very well. I ended up doing 5 triathlons + 1 more in Dallas. And my placing was pretty good with all my races...usually first in my age group and top 5-10 overall female. I have been consistent with my training, maintained my weight...even have lowered it, and have been happy with my races. I left my races this year...the feeling that I think we all crave...the feeling of your first race ever. I remember my first triathlon... 1992, YMCA Triathlon in Janesville, WI and I believe it was a bit longer than a sprint. I was on my mountain bike and watching the really "fast" people ahead of me...but I didn't care. I was looking at the cows, the butterflies, and listening to my Mom and my best friend, Krista cheering me on. When I crossed that finish line...I was happy. I was happy that I finished my first triathlon. This year...I can say I have been happy with my races. I think this has been a year of discovering the "Joys of Triathlon" again. Learning to say "NO' to Ironman Arizona when you know you are not ready. Learning to say "I am not doing that race...run, swim, run...no thank you." Learning to cross that finish line being HAPPY, not second guessing your training...because you just finished "your _______________ (fill in the blank) triathlon." This year...I went back to 1992 and enjoyed every minute of it.