Bummer--long.

[limewave]

So DH and I had been training the last 5 months for a 50 mile bike race this morning. We hired babysitters so we could train. We also made babysitting arrangements so that we could take a long weekend and travel to the race without the kids, a nice getaway for us.

DS got sick early this week and we ended up spending the entire week at the hospital. I felt so bad for DS. It was hard seeing a 15 month old tied up to an IV. Anyways, he came home Thursday afternoon and is doing very well.

As guilty as it makes me feel, I am still disappointed about not being able to race this morning.

I can't tell you how many races/events we've had to bail on because of the kids. And of course, I don't mind and I don't blame them. It's just part of being a parent.

But it makes it really hard to get motivated to mountain bike. Riding for the "fun of it" doesn't do it for me. The FUN is the racing and training! I can't help it, I'm competitive.

I have another race scheduled in November. We've signed up for this race 2 times before and missed it both times because of family stuff. DH and I were trying to rally ourselves last night. Then we got some bad news this morning, the local mountain bike trail is closing to the public It's going to make it very hard for us to get out and train.

I feel like the universe is conspiring against us.

[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.

[katherine]

That sucks. Bad news comes in 3s right? So first your son was in the hosiptal, then you had to pull out of the race, and then the local trail closed. You're done, only good things from here on out.
I get angry/disappointed/fustrated when I miss things because of the kids too, but what can you do. The IVs are absolutely the worst part of having a child in the hospital, they had to try three times to get one in my son last year. It was awful, I couldn't bring myself to ride, I wanted to stay within cell range, so I went for lots of long runs. It helped to relieve the stress, produce some endorphines and hey extra cardio for those big climbs. I also did extra yoga (core strength for long hours on the bike).
I hope things are looking up today!

[limewave]

Thanks for the support! I really needed some positive words. I had mentioned my disappointment about the race to my mom, she looked at me like I was an alien.

I had already thought about doing a 1/2 marathon in September. I went for a long run today and am turning my focus towards that for the next few weeks. It's local and not near the time or money commitment the last race was. It's a nice break. Then it will be back to the singletrack!

[zoom-zoom]

I had already thought about doing a 1/2 marathon in September.

If it's the race I think it is, it's REALLY nice. Perhaps my favorite race. The beer and lunch on the deck afterwards is SO awesome. If I hadn't spent the entire Summer rehabbing my ankle I would have done that one again. I will probably be there cheering, which is almost as fun as running.

It stinks to prepare so long for a goal and then have to bail in the 11th hour. But there will be more races. So thankful to hear that your little guy is recovering well.

[blackhillsbiker]

Thanks for the support! I really needed some positive words. I had mentioned my disappointment about the race to my mom, she looked at me like I was an alien.

My mom never did anything she wanted to do when we were growing up. I tend to feel guilty when I choose to bike even though it takes me away from the kids. The other night one of my 17-yr-olds said to me, "Mom, no offense, but you are much easier to be around and much more fun now that you bike." You need to fill your cup if you are going to be a good parent. Hang in there. Sending hugs your way.

Deb

[Crankin]

Limewave, please do not feel guilty. Anything you do for you, you are, by extension, doing for your family.
Heck, I got babysitters so I could teach my 5 AM aerobics class when my DH was out of town... the babysitter stayed until I came home, showered, got ready for work, and then my nanny came so I could go to work. Oh, the other moms in my play group just shook their heads. My mom, though, totally understood, as she was very athletic, but lived in a time when women just didn't do endurance stuff.
Just think of what a good role model you are, especially for your daughter. Both of my kids are extremely fit and active adults. It just is "the normal way" for them.

[limewave]

I just signed up for a mountain bike race in October. I'm going to race Expert

I'm prepared to come in DFL. I'm just hoping I won't be too far behind.