Solid Score in Joplin

Well, I'm happy with the Joplin decathlon: no AR or WR, but unofficial single-age (46) AR, total score of 7308 using 2010 age factors, (5700 on IAAF tables), which is almost 300 points better than the winner from last year's World meet in Lahti, and the best score in my age group in the world since 2002. Additionally, my hurdle time of 15.60 is the fastest ever world FAT time in a decathlon for age 45+. I'm sure that question will find it's way to Jeopardy sooner or later...("what American masters decathlete...) The weather in Joplin was very hot, in the mid 90's with the heat index over 100. This was hotter than any decathlon I did as a kid, and made it a bit challenging. The heat and favorable winds helped my sprint times, but by the end of the first day I was really feeling it. I must not have drunk enough water, because I had muscles cramping in the 400. For a few strides I thought I might have to stop, but I didn't of course, although the time was pretty slow(57.24). I should have run in the low 55s probably, so that cost me around 80 points right there. If I hadn't cramped up there, I would have been able to run fast enough to get the AR, but I'm not complaining. I achieved my objective of completing a decathlon with all ten events and doing a solid score in the 7000's.
What the future holds for me now, I'm not sure. My performance in at least three of the events is below my potential, so on the one hand I'd like to keep training and improve the vault and javelin, but on the other hand I don't want to have to keep fighting these chronic pains in my groin and shoulder. I'll probably spend 2-3 months this fall just working on these issues, and if I feel like I can improve my score next year in the World Champs in Sacramento, then I may go for it. Or not. Or I may just try to improve my WR in the indoor Pentathlon, because I know I can do that with minimal effect to the shoulder.
For now, I'll train for the Nationals in Sacramento July 22, where I'll LJ, HJ, and hurdle. Let's see if I can triple!