Commitment

Qualifying for my professional license was a life-changing event for me. I knew that soon, I was going to have to make some choices. I took a good look at my life and determined how much of it I wanted to dedicate to triathlon and making a successful career out of the sport.

I recently found a coach, which is something I have never worked with in triathlon. I have not yet discussed the whole blog thing with him yet, so I will keep his identity private for now. Anyway, part of the reason for me signing a coach was to take my training and racing to the next level. When we first talked, he asked me how I will know if I have been successful in the sport of triathlon. I had never thought of this before. 

What I decided was in however many years it is that I retire, I want to be able to say I did everything I could to be as fast and as competitive as possible. Regardless of how many races I win or how many championships I go to, I want to be able to say I gave it my all, literally.

This means I am going to need to make a few changes.

Diet. I eat pretty well, I feel like, but one of the things I have recently discovered is I am about 5-10 pounds too heavy for a triathlete. Conservatively, for every pound I drop, I will also cut 12 seconds from my 10k time... disgusting, I know.

Dear food,
I will miss you.
Love, Sam.

Girls. Yep, I like them too, but I don't know where they're going to fit in with training 20-30 hours a week, traveling to races, and being constantly tired. Maybe in another life, Sunshine.

Plus, I will have to pretty much give up the college lifestyle I have been living in order to accomplish what I want to accomplish, which will make meeting one pretty difficult. Sure, there's maybe one or two of you, who might be reading this for whom I would make an exception... but I don't think either one of you want anything to do with a triathlete who barely makes minimum wage.

The point isn't giving up girls so much as the lifestyle of a college swimmer. As I write this, I realize that is what I am getting at with this post. I am caught between being a college swimmer and a professional athlete, and I have just decided which one I want to be more. I need to start living the life of a pro triathlete.

Training. More of this... and better organized... and better focused. Dad, I love you, and you got me into this sport pretty much, but you know as well as I do that I need more guidance. Training is what I love to do and what I live for, hiring a coach has just made it so that I won't be flying by the seat of my pants.

I strongly encourage you to comment on this post. I know that a lot of you are my friends and family, and I will need your support and understanding as I make this life change. You all knew me when I was a college swimmer and you still liked me then right? Well then stay with me through this, the only difference is I don't have to pretend to study, and I might even make a little money! 

I need you all now more than I have ever needed ya's, so tell a friend, send me some love, and FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!