Way too much touchy feely

It seems like usually I post about triathlon events; races, workouts, gear, etc.

This is going to be different. This is more of a triathlon dilemma/musing.

I love triathlon. My husband thinks that I spend more than my fair share of time reading and thinking about triathlon let alone training and racing. It is expensive and time consuming but he understands all of that. I am lucky to be married to someone who is so patient (it helps that he sort of likes it too!). Anyway, what is frustrating is the emphasis placed on Ironman distance races. It feels like if you don't do an Ironman then you aren't really a triathlete or at least a very good one.

I think that most of us in the sport would say, "phooey, that isn't true, of course you are a triathlete. You swim, you bike, you run, all in the same race, therefore... triathlete." But then why is it then, that the pressure to complete a race of that distance only comes from other triathletes. When I say pressure, I don't mean a negative, mean, cruel pressure. I am talking about a prodding, consistent, push you to your physical limits because I know you can do it kind of pressure. Definitely not always a bad thing. I wonder if anyone out there that hasn't done an IM can relate.

So here is the dilemma

#1 I would like to try an Ironman.
#2 I also want to be fast and try to qualify for the Age-Group Nationals and maybe Worlds again (Olympic distance) because I feel like it was a fluke the first time.

I know that I shouldn't attempt both in the same time frame. The other little tiny factor that plays a part in this may seem silly to some of you but it totally freaks me out.

Babies. My husband and I have been married for 2 1/2 years. We are not planning on having kids in the next couple of years but the clock is ticking and who knows what will happen. Before you say something about how young I am and how I have all the time in the world, all of the kids I work with have a disability and I am very aware of the statistics that go along with maternal age. I am not all that worried about it but I also don't want to wait until I am 105 to have kids, if that is what we decide to do. (Could I be any more vague about that?)

So, fast or long?
LOL, I am sure there is a joke in there somewhere.
I lean towards speed. I love to go fast and I am built more for that.

Maybe I am missing something. Maybe I don't have to choose.

I'll have some time to ponder it on my half marathon on Sunday morning. Looking forward to a nice easy, healthy run.

Later