I have received invitations to do some pretty cool races that have been on my short list for a few years. One is the American Zofingen duathlon in New Paltz New York in the spring. This is supposed to be one of the most challenging courses in the country and I have heard so many great things about New Paltz. I think this race just may need to happen for me this year.

I also expect to race the Duathlon National Championships in Richmond Virginia in the spring. This is an outstanding event right here in our own USAT Mid-Atlantic region and I am looking forward to this a lot. I visited the venue last year for a USA Triathlon meeting and loved it.

This year’s iron distance triathlon will probably be in Montreal in September. The Triathlon Esprit de Montreal has been on my radar for years. It is a lightning fast course run on a formula one race car course that is repaved each year. It is one of those best kept secret races and is actually a festival of several events. My only issue is that this race is too close to the ChesapeakeMan ultra distance triathlon to be able to do both events, so I would need to figure something out … can’t miss Chessyman. I am a firm believer in supporting the “ultra indies” – the independently run ultra distance triathlons. Although I love the NA Sports events a.k.a “M-Dot” races, I also believe there is a solid market and need for the grassroot iron distance races. And 140.6 miles is 140.6 miles no matter how you slice it. Of course I will also run in the Philadelphia Marathon in November of 2010. That has become a fall tradition for me. I love the race and love that time of year.

I will also do many of the South Jersey shore sprint triathlons. There seems to be a race just about every weekend down there. So when we are down, I like to jump in as many of those as I can. Of course I will continue to provide support for a number of races throughout the year such as the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon, Danskin Philadelphia and Midge and Tim Kerr’s races in Avalon. They will always be “give back” races for me and ones that I will “work” and not race.

Team in Training will kick into high gear soon and most people know how much I love coaching and working with those athletes. I always feel like I get back more than I give working with that organization. It’s very rewarding and a great partnership. In fact I will deliver the inspirational talk this weekend at the Team in Training dinner before the Philadelphia Marathon. As I sit here collecting my thoughts for this talk, I think the key word will be – choice. We may not always have a choice in the stuff that happens to us, but we certainly have choices in how we react and how we respond to that stuff. And those responses are the true measure of character.

Enjoy the day !

The USAT National Duathlon Festival Championship offers duathletes the chance to bike and run through either the on- or off-road downtown urban courses. Athletes and spectators alike can also participate in post-race tailgating party, on-course spectator party zones and the vendor expo located next to the transition area.

“Last year we had the biggest and best duathlete field in the country turn out in Richmond,” said Jeff Dyrek, National Events Director at USAT. “With 2010 being the final year for the National Duathlon Festival Championship in Richmond, we look forward to having another record-breaking year for Duathlon in Richmond.”

The On-Road National Championship Age Group Races will serve as the only national qualifiers for the 2010 ITU World Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland on September 4 and 5.  The top 18 spots per age group will qualify and be eligible to participate in the World Championships.

The 2010 USAT National Duathlon Festival Championship features youth, junior and adult on-road divisions, as well as an adult off-road race. “We’re always happy to bring another national event to Richmond, particularly one that highlights our great park and trail system and one where people of all ages and skill levels can participate,” said Jon Lugbill, executive director of Sports Backers and race director. “We’re excited to keep the momentum going strong for the sport of Duathlon as it continues to grow locally and nationally.”

For registration details and complete event information, please visit www.duathlonnationals.com.  Sunday’s events are limited to 1,500 registrants and registration will close at capacity.