Changes

A good day today I think. A bit of a mixture at first, but I think it ended up in a good place.

I mentioned yesterday that it had been a bit of a stressful week. This stress wasn't to do with working or training, but more to do with racing. Or rather, what races to do. The plan for a long time has been to head up to Phuket at the end of this year for Challenge Phuket. So much was this plan that I had already entered the event. However, some recent (self-inflicted) developments meant that the trip had suddenly become a lot more expensive, almost double the cost in fact. The increased travel costs forced me to accept that the trip was now going to be more than I could really justify.

I travel a fair bit to race, and when I do, I usually consider a few things. By necessity some of those things are fairly cold and calculating. There are the usual things like, will the race suit me, does the course work for me. Those considerations normally come first. But after that are more practical considerations, how easy is this place to get to from Perth, how long are the flights, how many flights, how expensive are those flights etc. Sometimes a race looks great, but getting there requires 18 hours of travel with three transfers. Those races rapidly become too hard. After the practical considerations come some of the more whiny pro triathlete considerations, how generous are the organisers, is there much chance of me coming away with money, will this race bring exposure for the sponsors. I think pros in any sport (including triathlon) have a reputation for being a bit mercenary and so it pains me for those last few items to make the list, but the reality is that they are considerations. 

All those considerations brought me to the reality that the Phuket race just wasn't going to work for me this year. For the cost of doing Phuket, I could do two other races. In terms of value to myself and sponsors, and just from a $/enjoyment perspective, spending less to race more elsewhere makes sense. Plus, if I am honest, I just can't afford to spend that much on a race at the moment.

All these things have been going on in the back of my head all week. Hence the stress.

All good now though. I have withdrawn from Phuket and have entered into 70.3 Western Sydney, which is a much simpler race (and cheaper) for me to get to. My airfares for Phuket have been transferred to get me to Manila for Subic Bay in March next year. Everything is lining up nicely.

One of the added benefits of all this is that I am kind of excited about the Western Sydney 70.3. It isn't really a race I had even considered before, but now that I am going over there, I am really keen. I have a bit of a soft spot for Penrith, having spent quite a lot of time there in my rowing days (the Sydney Olympic rowing course is there). Some of my best moments in rowing happened on that course. The fact that the swim and the run all take place around the rowing course is a big plus.

Plus, it feels like a long time since I raced in Australia. Okay yes, my last race was on Rottnest, but it is a long time since I travelled to somewhere else in Australia to race. Over a year in fact. Staying within Australia makes a lot of things simpler, no customs or immigration. I know where to buy food and what I will get. I don't have to look left then right when crossing a road. The list goes on. The reduction in stress I felt from moving my race from Phuket to Western Sydney made me realise that the hassles of overseas travel was part of what was causing my stress. I am still keen to get back up to Asia and race overseas, but I am welcoming the chance not too for once.

I have a love hate relationship with racing on the East coast of Australia. I have never really done very well over there. But I have travelled for racing a lot since I last went East and I like to think I am a bit better at this triathlon game than I was 14 months ago.

Time to find out I think.