no kansas for me

After more than five months of training for one specific race, I'm fairly disappointed I won't be racing Kansas 70.3. My knee issues just aren't getting any better. In fact, it's gotten worse. It has been really tough to train over the past week or so, mainly because I kinda knew I had to make this decision. I worked extremely hard to get to where I am and now it feels like I failed myself a bit.

I know injuries are part of life, especially running, but it sucks to have to deal with a different injury each year. I only started running 15 months ago and I've already been sidelined for nearly half of that. Sure I can run/walk a 5k here and there, but I could do that within my first month of running.

My new goal is the Harvest Moon long course triathlon in Aurora. It's the same distance as a half-ironman, just without the corporate sponsorship. It's also not until September, which means I have another four months of training. Yes, I'll be in ridiculous shape and assuming I get over this injury, I'll be faster than I would be in a couple weeks. I just really wish I could do Kansas.

Three of my friends are doing Kansas 70.3 and at least two of them started training for the race because I was doing it too. It's pretty disappointing knowing they'll be out there suffering through 6+ hours of a race, while I'm not. I still haven't decided if I'm going to go with to support them. I want to, but I know I'll just wish I was racing.

Either way, I'm heading to a doctor soon and I'm going to get my knee scanned to find out what really is the issue. It's apparently not my IT Band, so at this point, it's not as easy fix. Last time I hit up the doctor, it cost me $500 and he didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I'm hoping this isn't the same case.