#ProfessionalTriathlete It's about time I updated this post.
It's been an eventful three years trying to race as a pro. I lost my first season to severe iron deficient anemia, something I still battle to this day. I lost my second season to a bike crash that had me in line for a hip replacement. And my third has been an uphill battle trying to come back from that crash, even over a year later.
Still, I found a way to sneak some great moments in there. A marathon PR in Mesa just before the crash. A half marathon PR in Jersey City after being told I needed to retire. Big race wins at Escape the Cape, NYC Tri, Harryman, and a few others even as I struggled to regain my fitness.
If today I stopped trying to compete with professional athletes half my age with double the time, I'd be justified. I took some good shots. I'd be justified... but not satisfied. So this is not a career retrospective quite yet.
I took the last half of summer off from racing to see what I truly had left. Grinding, rebuilding. I wanted to see if I had enough for one last shot at a good pro finale. I think I do. And Ironman Arizona is going to be that finale on November 16th, for better or worse.
I can't fully know what to expect. It's been three+ years since I've gotten to train for a full Ironman. Setback after setback, and there are recent ones I could add to the list. But despite all of it, I believe I'm prepared to have the best race of my life in Arizona at 41 years old. And whether I get that result or not, at least I'll never have to regret not giving it my all.
#OneShot #ProfessionalAthlete #USATElite #IronmanTriathlon #Triathlon #TriathlonLife #TriathlonTraining #SwimBikeRun #TriathletesOfInsta #ProAthlete #CostumeRunner #DadBod #HumansOfTriathlon #IronmanArizona #FormRacing #TriRigRacing #CupcakeCartel @the.cupcake.cartel #RetirementGoals #NoRegerts
