From Brazil to Texas in a Week, With a Short Stop in France

Last Thursday I went to the Peak Performance workout and I’m not really sure why Coach Jen mentioned that I was doing an Ironman. Brazil, right? Yeah baby! Brazil!

Well, at least that was the intention, because when I got home I decided to finally register for it and NOOOOOOO! I found the following message in their website:

The registration for Ironman Brazil 2011 is SOLD OUT !

No!!! When did this happen? How did this happen? Who? What? When? What? What? Sold out? Why? What am I going to do now?

I admit it, I panicked. You know when you have a dream and it get’s crushed in front of you eyes… that’s how I felt.

After I told M so we could share my sad moment, I went to the ironman page. Surely, there has to be some other I can do… right? Well, yes, if you want  to do it in Idaho!  <Notice the sarcasm> (Nothing against Idaho, ok, maybe a little.)

Well, after another moment of panic and sadness I came to my senses and realized that the races in Canary Islands, Nice, and Austria could be good options. I also noticed that the brand new Ironman Texas, on May 21, 2011, had not started accepting applications yet.

Ok, ok, breathe, there are still options. 

I checked out the courses, the prices, the temperature, the price of the plane tickets, the locations, everything, and narrowed it down to two: Nice and Texas. Texas? Yes, Texas.

The Nice option was really a replacement for Brazil. Awesome place to do a race and to visit; and if you are going to travel to do a race might as well go to a great place. Texas was just a different story, it’s practically on my backyard, no traveling involved, and the opportunity to actually practice on the race course. The only thing these two races have in common is that they are both Ironman events.

So, after asking around for advice, considering all the pros and cons, and even flipping a coin I decided for Texas… and then Nice… and back to Texas.

Now, seriously, it took me about a week to decide, but I finally registered for Ironman Woodlands, TX. Now the clock starts ticking; in less than a year I will become (or at least attempt) an Ironman. Let the fun begin.