Life of an Age-Grouper

Drip.........Drip.........Drip. The adrenaline started to drip Wednesday morning. I was actually surprised to feel it so early since I had not even started to focus my attention on this race since work had been all consuming. I have to embarrassingly admit that I had done absolutely no research prior to this race which is totally out of character. I had hoped that  Friday night  would have been relaxing. That I would have had some time to myself. That I'd be able to put my feet up and do some research on this course. Instead my wife and I visited Lowes, Home Depot, and at least two other stores looking for tile. After striking out we made a quick stop at the grocery store before heading home to patch some holes with sheet rock. I was finally able to catch my breath when I laid down in bed still ignorant of this race and without having packed a single thing. Potential disaster. Saturday morning  I was awake before my alarm and had a buzz of excitement. I was certa...

For a majority of age group athletes the 2014 triathlon season is over.  Medals are hanging from hooks, race photos are in frames and the mind is full of memories and war stories of the season that was.  As you eventually come down from the emotionally charged season the common and routine question arises, now what? Just because your season is over there are still plenty of very important things to do to properly end your season. The very first thing I recommend doing is saying,"Thank You".  Make it a point to thank everyone that helped you along your journey through the season.  Thank your loved ones for EVERYTHING. Just like you they had to deal with and shared in your successes, failures, podiums, bonks, eating habits, sleeping patterns, crankiness, naps, long weekend rides and runs, massive amounts of laundry...they essentially did everything you did except race. Thank your coach and training partners for not only their motivation, guidance but ...

Train. Come into form. Babsiosis. Train. Come into form. Car accident. This is my reflection on a season that wasn’t. Reflection is a part of sport that very few athletes chose to focus on. Athletes that cannot objectively reflect on their performances’ during training and racing only handicap their potential and ability to excel in sport. It is through reflection that an athlete can assess their abilities (strengths and weaknesses) and then proceed to create a game plan that will allow for future success. I have attempted to sit down and write this blog several times but just wasn’t in the right mind frame. Each attempt would bring on a flood of emotions; anger, frustration, annoyance, dejection, bewilderment. I have learned through varying life experiences that my best decisions are made with a level and neutral head. An emotionally driven reflection would have certainly been a misrepresentation of what was. Here were my goals going into the season; 1. Finish the...