Just don't know if I feel like racing anymore

[roadie gal]

[QUOTE=colby;523605 The short distance races let me race, enjoy the race, and still be challenged (in a different way), but I don't feel consumed (or like it's a second job) like I do training for an Ironman.[/QUOTE]

Consumed is a great way of putting it.

[ny biker]

Colby makes a great point. I've done a few centuries. While I was training for the last one, I found myself saying "I hate this I hate this" over and over. Out loud, while I was riding. Now I do 2-3 metrics per year and otherwise stick to shorter rides and I'm really happy with it. If someday I decide I no longer like 50-60 mile rides, so be it.

Veronica, I hope your SIL is okay.

[OakLeaf]

What Colby said.

Don't let it get to the point that I did with the bike, where I burned out so hard that I didn't get on a bicycle for 10 years.

It's okay to take a break. Or just give yourself permission not to race right now, without even thinking about whether you will in the future.

Just swim. Just ride. Just run. Let the fun come back to each one, and then decide what you want to do next.

[tribogota]

I have to admit that my "forced" "um, literally BREAK" has been kind of ok, I am not even that anxious to get back, and have decided to just exersize for awhile, and not TRAIN...and now I have energy to do other creative things, which has been very cool. Take a break, when you MISS it, you'll go back.

[GLC1968]

This is exactly why I don't really care to ever go beyond Oly distance. I have too many other things in my life that I enjoy and I really don't want to give them up to train. I DO go for long hikes (and weekend trips) and long bike rides (and weekend trips!) with my husband. I consider it part of my training! I also enjoy spending a day in the garden or tending to our goats and I don't want to feel like I have to choose either/or. I want both!

To have both, that means I will stick to short course. Of course, I'm really new to this, so I might be kidding myself, but so far, so good. Basically, I agree with the others, enjoy the training, sign up for shorter races if you need the incentive and make sure to enjoy the rest of your life too.

V - I'm sorry to hear about your SIL - I hope she is ok.

[Crankin]

Take a break. You've had lots of good suggestions.
This is why I don't "train." I just ride. When the voice in my head says, "you are slow," I put in a little more effort, with intervals or longer rides. Most of the time when I am doing this the voice is saying, "I hate this."
The past 2 years I hardly did any rides over 30-35 miles. I still had the same total miles, but I just didn't have the "feeling" to do lots of 50+ mile rides. All of a sudden this year, I am doing longer rides and riding a little more. It just happened...