When a race is not in the cards

We had a rocky start to the 15/16 ski season. And the start of the ski season typically marks the end of my focused training. Over the years I have learned to accept this and the fact that a late winter early spring race just is not possible for me. I've learned not to stress over it and accept my lot. I can race summer and fall races.
OK STOP! that is a load of BS!! This forced acceptance actually really bothers me. Over the years as the ski season draws near I always think, "maybe this year?' There are a lot of early season races I would love to participate in.
In the end it just doesn't happen.
However this year Mother Natures hand that so stifled skiing in the east led me to consider "this could be the year." This could be the year I would participate in Western North Carolina's iconic Mount Mitchell Challenge held at the end of March. I had volunteered the previous couple races and Jay Curwan, the race director had awarded me an entry.
The atypical start to the ski season allowed me to keep up with my millage and work in some focused strength work the challenge required.

As bad for business the weather was I came into the New Year more fit than I typically am, excited and feeling great. I should have known better. The ski season began to gain momentum in the middle of January. I missed a few critical runs but was able to continue running, focus on leg strength, log tons spin bike miles and a few after hours laps, skinning up the mountain. I was in uncharted territory at this point but feeling pretty comfortable with my training.

 "An impossibility taunts us until we attempt it just because its there." George Mallory

Running a late winter-early spring race had been taunting me for years. It seemed this was going to be the year. The weather had been cooperating, business levels where cooperating, the STARS aligning. Suddenly, the wheels came OFF! A perfect way to describe when everything is cruising along, firing on all cylinders - then out of left field- the wheels come off! BAM! I got sick, work had gotten extremely busy and life just got in the way and I couldn't recover.
Its just not in the cards! Sooo, I didn't race and that was awfully disappointing. Goals not only missed but never attempted. I was distraught, pitiful really. I got over myself, eventually, but it took me months to write this. I eventually realized that my effort was not for not. I did in fact achieved number of successes despite not running the "Challenge."
1) I am more fit than I typically am this time of year
2) I learned to test a number of different training techniques allowing me to be more well balanced
3) Late winter and spring races are just not for me, I got it
4) Realistic, achievable goals are the best goals!
Now that all that is off my chest I plan on running the 70 miles through the Smokey Mountain National Park along the Appalachian Trail in May. I will let you know how that goes.