a hobby or an obsession?

I finished Philly Tri today - 4th in my age group. My finishing time this year would have won my age group last year... it just goes to show you - it all depends on who turns up on the day and how ready they are.

This year is supposed to be my easy year, and I've sort of been going through the motions, but my heart hasn't been in it.

Today's race was lots of fun, but my training leading up to the race was a bit scrambled - I just didn't want to put in the time to set up a training schedule and adhere to the schedule. So I'm pretty happy with the result given the effort I put in (believe me, I've trained far harder and achieved less favorable results).

Philly is a a big race and brings in some serious competition.... it also plays to my strengths - swim with the current, hilly & flat bike, and flat run. This race was a Nationals qualifier, and having finished in the top 5, I am now qualified to go to Nationals in Oregon in September. I doubt I'll go.

So that brings me to the main point of the blog. I do this because I like it, but I know in my heart of hearts that if I really want to be at the top of my division, I will have to change a few things. My conundrum is that if I change these things, it will cost me time and $$, and it will turn into less of a hobby that is just fun and into something more of an obsession.

The three things I would have to change to get to that next level is to hire a general coach, invest in even more equipment (esp. new wheels), get a swim coach and spend a lot more time in the pool and even do some competitive swimming. Of course first I will have to get through my current injuries (yes, my knee is still sore and my plantar fasciitis persists).

I really don't think I'm ready to commit the time or the $$ to get to this next level. There are far too many other things that I want to do (life is too short!) - here is a list...
- hone my AR skills
- dabble in Xterra racing
- more kayaking (maybe even learn to Eskimo roll!)
- of course I'll do my road bike rides on the weekends and to/from work - that is just fun
- I'd like to boost my short course (5K) running speed
- oh so many things around the house
- more travel
- more camping and hiking
- and yes, I would like to become a better swimmer over time

So, that's it - I'll jump into these races because it is fun (today's race was sooo much fun), but I won't worry 'too much' about the results - after all, I suspect the guys that beat me are way obsessed with this sport and I'm just not there.