Dream a Little Dream

It is time. Although I am a little depressed about it, it is time to return from the mountains to normal life. Beyond depressing, there is the worrisome prospect of returning to normal training conditions and wondering whether I still have the necessary motivation. For me, motivation requires goals, and that is where you, the Tri-Blogger Community ("TBC"), come in.

What events should I train for in the next year? I have some ideas, but I want my goal races to be events where I can go out to meet TBC members or they can come out and meet me. We can race, share war stories over food and drink, and hold each other accountable while training. I have some ideas about some good events that might make that possible, but I am going to leave this post up for several days so you can weigh in. I will be working on the pathetically out-of-date sidebar of this blog--and occasionally doing my job as well.

Who out there might be in for these events, and what other events should I consider placing on the calendar, either alongside or in lieu of these:

October 29, Montgomery, Texas: Iron Star-- a half-iron distance triathlon with open water swim in Lake Conroe. Has the advantage of being near my house and on a course where I typically train. Y'all come for the event or for massive training weekends.

January 6-7, Orlando Florida: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. I am considering doing the marathon while Mrs. Greyhound and the puppy are along for vacation. There is also a half marathon if that suits you better. Who's in?

January 14, Houston, Texas: Houston Marathon. (There is also a half marathon and a 5k). I will not be racing if I go to Florida, but I plan on being out there on the course supporting my local friends, and I can support you too. I train on the course all the time, and I'd be glad to give you the personal tour. If you are looking for a large, well run marathon with a great expo and great volunteers in a great city, this is the one for you. Who's in?

Early April, Galveston, Texas: (traditionally held first weekend in April) This is an event that has HUGE potential. There is a sprint distance event, an olympic distance, and a half-iron. Moreover, problems associated with the event are probably a thing of the past. The new race director does Timberman and knows what he is doing. No matter if you're a newbie or working toward an ironman, this early season event with open water ocean swim will get you going. And it is a mere hop skip and a jump away from Chez Greyhound. You like?

April 21-22, 2007, Houston to Austin: BP MS 150--the biggest and best in the nation. Ride with me from Houston to Austin, either over two days with the peloton of 13,000 people who will raise more than $11 million to fight multiple sclerosis or with the crazy triathletes (probably me included) who will attempt the 180 miles in one day. I can hook you up with the best training ride series and the best team in the city. AND I will defray the cost of all post-event, adult recovery beverages for whichever TBC members ride with me and raise more than $1000 to fight Mrs. Greyhound's condition.

Here is where it gets really murky. Do I do another half-iron from the 70.3 series? Do I do some big olympic events out of town? The answer might depend upon who toes the line with me. Here are some thoughts.

Early July: The Triple Bypass--120 miles over three massive climbs in the Rocky Mountains. I told Bold I would do it, so who's going with us? Kahuna? Benny? Nytro? Commodore? Anyone? Anyone?

Mid-July: Lifetime Fitness Triathlon: A super olympic event. Plus, if Trimama and the tribe are out in force, who am I to understimate the power of the force?

Late August: The Accenture Chicago Triathlon--the biggest olympic distance event on the planet. If Iron Wil and the Kahuna show up, how could I not, if only to carry their gear? Who else?

Ironman 70.3 Events: This is the big big question. One of these is likley to be the A event of the season. Buffalo Springs Lake again? Vineman? Timberman? Steelhead? Cancun? Clearwater? What to do, what to do? Who's going where?