Bummer--long.

[badgercat]

I'm sorry to hear all that. "Bummer" is putting it lightly. I hope things turn up for you guys soon.

[Tri Girl]

Oh man! That's more than a bummer, that's terrible.
Poor DS, but glad that he's home and doing better. Poor little guy.

I think you're perfectly allowed to feel disappointed by not racing, and you don't need to feel guilty about it. Having children doesn't mean giving up you and your likes/wants/desires. I hope that you'll be able to race in November.

How is the trail closing? Is it on someone's private land? That's really a major bummer!! Do you have any place else to ride?

Grrr... feeling frustrated with/for you.

[beccaB]

Did they close your trail altogether, or just to mountain bikes? Can you find a trail that you have to drive to? I'm going to get a mountain bike in the fall, and I will probably have to drive it to any trail, but it's not like I've ever had access to one otherwise. I drive me and my dog to a trail to go hiking but they don't allow mountain bikes there.
As far as little kids taking your commitment from what you like to do, that won't last forever. I have old teenagers and it seems like they were born yesterday. Something always did crop up when there was something important to do. Like the time my daughter got a dangerous case of hives.
I didn't actually start biking till they were older. I don't race, just centuries to train for.

[OakLeaf]

Aw, lime, serious bummer.

Glad your son's feeling better, anyway.

Hang in there ... it will get better.

[crazycanuck]

Poo sorry to hear your son wasn't well.

You prepped for the race & did everything you could to be ready. YOu have dedication and are aware that things can go wrong before & on the day.

How far away is the next nearest trail? Can you use the trail at night?

If it makes you feel any better, most of the trails outside the Perth metro are at least 1hr drive away. I understand what it's like to have to spend up to 2hrs or more driving to bike 2hrs on sweet sweeet singletrack. For the next month, we're driving 1 1/2 hrs to practice a course for two events.

Here's hoping everything runs smoothly for your next event

[Aggie_Ama]

Not the same but DH had a marathon race that he spent all fall training for. It was going to be on January 2 and his work usually does end of the year inventory on December 31. This year they decided to give the staff off December 31 and January 1, scheduling inventory for January 2! DH couldn't do the race and yes paying the bills comes first but he was devastated. And a bit of a PITA to be around.

You're obviously glad your little guy is better but it is perfectly normal to be disappointed as well. Hang in there, the world can't continue to conspire against you - it gets bored and picks on someone else!

[Crankin]

It's normal to feel disappointed; just keep training for something else.
And, it's good to see that I was not the only one to get babysitters so i could go do my workout. It's worth it. Because when your kids don't need you so much anymore, you and your DH will have a common interest and stuff to do together.