I know what you mean, when I had my big "A" race last Saturday I was sad that the races I loved driving up to the mountains for, busting my a** and lungs over, and hanging out afterwards for awards with new race friends is over. I still have one 24 Hour race in October to look forward to, but really I consider my 2009 racing season over. So sad.

On the bright side I have HUGE plans for next year and I'm excited to write up a training plan for those. I raced xc mtb this year, and next year I want to be faster at those races and also tackle a 24 Hour race solo and race the Breck Epic. Both are new levels of endurance I haven't attempted before, so it'll be interesting one way or another. Oh, and I'm planning to get a coach for the first time!!!

I am in running season, one fun tri left here in my community (just for fun to see if we can organise one, we are doing a little local sprint). Good season, met my goals in training all year and at all my B races, missed my goals in my A race on the run only (cramped in the heat, so learned about something I need to do in my training next season). I am looking at next year too, starting a strength program next week with a local personal trainer three mornings a week at 530am (gak) and with a new location for my job, I should be able to swim five mornings a week.
Goals I met:
sub 7m 500m swim, sub 25m 1500 swim
avg speed of above 35km/h for 40k, above 37km/h for 20k
ran sub 20m 5k, sub 21m in a sprint, sub 45m 10k (not in a tri)
Next season will be HIM's and long course in prep for 2011 Ironman (probably Cozumel or IMLP)

Good thread!

I really enjoyed this year too. I managed to meet my goal of completing not one, but two sprints. I was just another fat guy in April of last year and these races were the culmination of a new life and the loss of 90lbs since April 2008.

I'm getting signed up for a half mary in October, November and a full in December. Then its time to find an indoor pool and conquer my nemesis in time for next year. Luckily I can bike all year 'round here.

One of the best thing about being a newbie is that you always meet your goals! I only had 3 races and I have a marathon coming up in October. I didn't get to do as many races as I wanted this year but that is ok...I learned so much from each one and I improved a little at each one! I am kind of excited for the off season - only because I know how I want to use the off season! There will be the addition of a trainer to my tools (which I am sure I will grow to *love* HA!) and some warmer running clothes. I just absolutely cannot deal with running on the treadmill while the heat is blowing on me! While the trainer may be boring I at least can put that someplace cool....boring...but cool. There is SO much I want to do this winter. Work on my stroke in the pool and on the bike. Knowing now that my runs will suffer if I take them inside I will keep them outside as much as possible. So much to do....so little time!

I wish there was a 50 mi pool in my area ;)

I have one more race this year - and have completed 4 (sprints).

I remember back to March - my first 10K ever (I started running late last year). I felt such elation when I finished - that I thought "wow. i did it. what else can I do? how about a tri?". So I joined USAT, registered for a race, and started training April 1st.

With each race, I set and reached (most) goals. I am comfortable in open water, and swam a mile for the first time in my local lake last month. No podiums yet, but I've moved from the bottom of MOP to top of MOP in most races. 21 / 91 AG in NJ State Tri. And I've been working on strategies to balance training w family life and work - maybe one of the toughest goals of all.

Met some great people - and am consistently amazed at how warm and friendly we triathletes are. It's awesome. Love to read (and share) RR with this community.

My season will culminate Sept 27 w a local HIM. Sure it will be painful, but I HAVE to tri it. It's calling me. I know you all understand that.

Already planning a family vaca next August around the Timberman HIM. Best of all is that the family supports it.

Masters swims over the winter, bike trainer in the basement.

Is it March yet?

I have my last Sprint a week from Sat.

Haven't had my heart into it this year, looking at that really? Continuing training though has made me feel better.

Hopefully next year I will do a Oly distance race as well as 4 sprints? I think I'm a few years out from a HIM.

Well you can still put on the spandex and watch the Vuelta a Espana over at Universal Sports dot com.
This morning Simon Guerans won the breakaway sprint on his Cervélo, which made me proud, purely from a vicarious POV.
And I was wearing my spandex running shorts for my run out to the lake this morning, so the thrill of encasing your hide in elastic material doesn't have to be entirely done yet.

:)

PoC

My little town is ~40,000 people nestled in the mountains among 3 lakes.
Most guys here have never owned spandex or even know someone who has owned spandex. So I think people see me and shake their head a little.
heh.
What do they know?

PoC

the race was great, the season is over. I could talk about my accomplishments and failures(plenty of both), instead I'll say, THANK YOU, so much, to the volunteers who make every single triathlon a safe, happy, warm, loving environment. Never have people who make NO MONEY made an event so enjoyable....SO THANK YOU!!!!! For your time, your sweat, your blood, your attitude, Thank you...