Fall race options.

I sort of need to decide what my deal is.

I am going to do an hour swim+long bike (50ish miles) on Friday, I think it will help me with the decision process. I did a 25 mile bike ride this week that took way more out of me than it should have. Right now the options are getting more and more limited. Here they are, with the pros/cons of each:

1. Pumpkinman. Have wanted to do this for awhile, looks like an amazing course, small race, amazing RD. Cons: Expensive, far away, need to rent car and get hotel. Lots of travel a few days before I leave the country, and I worry about the recovery on the plane.
2. Annapolis OLY. Just found this, and I think it's the leading option right now. It's an OLY, feel more confident about the distance, and I could actaully RACE. My family could come. Still a few days before I leave, but less recovery as it's only an OLY. Cons: Would need to rent a car, and has mandatory Sat. bike check in, which means I would probably still need a hotel.
3. Chesapeakeman ULTRA swim fest (or AquaBike). Not sure why, but for some reason I really want to do this. Cons: It's the weekend I get back from South Africa.
4. Bassman HIM. Just found this one today. Oct 5. 1.5 hours from NYC (in NJ). Race day packet pick up, could probably borrow a friends car, so this would be the most cost effective option. Cons: Would be off my bike for two weeks in South Africa. Also worry a bit that it's too close to the NYC Marathon (a month later) and would 'mess up' my training schedule. (If i did this, I would NOT do the Staten Island Half the next weekend, which I am totally OK with and I actually think there is a NYRR long-training run in the park that weekend as well).

Ugh. I think it's going to come down to whatever is open, and I can afford, when I finally get around the making a decision. If I can work out the logistics, right now I am leaning towards Annapolis, AND Bassman if it isn't sold out and I can decide while I am IN South Africa or when I get back.




(and PS the bike would be a birthday/christmas/new years present to myself...forcing me to actaully ride it over the winter because I would feel bad....don't you love the reasoning??)