Deep breath...

I've been going back and forth with myself for a few days...

I fell in love with the Portland Triathlon - such a perfect way to race in the city (not like running past the dump, Portland Marathon lol). The swim course is the Willamette River beginning at the dragon boat docks, under the Hawthorne Bridge, around the Morrison, and back against the current to the Waterfront bowl. The bike and run courses haven't been posted yet, but sounds like they'll include the Eastbank Esplanade and plenty of bridges.

The downside to this tri: it's an Olympic distance and it's a week after Hood to Coast. I told myself that I'd only do sprint tri's this year because I'm just getting started in the sport. My swimming is especially weak. Last weekend's Beaver Freezer swim was 500 yards or 10 laps in a pool. The Portland Tri's swim is 1.5km or just under a 1 mile or roughly 33 laps. That's a very scary amount of swimming to me - I felt like I barely survived the Beaver Freezer's swim. Plus, looks like I'll definitely need a wetsuit. I have no idea where to begin with rentals, how to put it on, how to get it off, ect. And the Willamette doesn't exactly have the greatest of reputations. The race directors are assuring everyone that the water is safe, but just the fact that you're testing for e.coli is a little unnerving (especially with the quantities of water I swallow lol).

I've been debating with myself if I should do this tri. Is this the type of fear I should listen to or push through? Is the swimming too much for me to handle or will I find a way? I'd have 20 weeks of training and the race website offers a training schedule that sounds very doable. I thought of waiting until next year, but then I worried that if we're trying for a baby this summer, who knows what type of condition I'll be in next year. (I plan to continue staying active during the pregnancy, yet as anyone whose been pregnant knows, there's no gaurantees.)

Finally it hit me: we won't be in Oregon next summer. We only have about 15 months until we're moving. Holy crap, it feels like we just got home. With Chris's commissioning and orders to TBS, this will be my one and only chance to do this tri for who knows how long.

So tonight I officially registered for my first Olympic triathlon - eeeepp!!!

In other big news, next week is the start of my taper for the Eugene Marathon. I'm extremely worried about my training for that race too. My school work took priority over running, so I feel I am no where near the level I should be for a full marathon. I think my longest run so far was a 15 miler back in February. I've only been doing about 15-20 miles per week, generally missing all my speed/strength work and long runs. I'm fairly confidant I'll be able to finish Eugene, but any goals for PR'ing have been abandoned. My stratery for the race is to keep my HR around 160, walk the big hills during the first eight miles, and hope for the best.

I keep reading that it's better to be under-trained by 10% than over-trained by 1%. Trying to believe that is true. I'm also trying to look on the positive side that I still have the Seattle Marathon in November. If I'm under trained now, that's much better than going into this summer injured and burnt out like last time. (In 2006, I did Disney in January and Shamrock in March. In about June or July, I developed ITB tendonitist and shin splints. I was able to be rehabbed through physical therapy, but I was not ready for my fall marathons at all.)

Got to get to bed. Tomorrow, Chris is coming down with my road bike and have a 20 miler...