Monday, November 9, 2009

2010 - Taking the Leap

I figured since the folks at the World Triathlon Corporation have made their big "professional announcement" for 2010, that I might as well jump on that ship and make mine.

After some deliberation, I have decided to apply for my "Ironman Pro Membership Card" for the 2010 season. It wasn't what I would call an easy decision. But I feel it is the correct one.

Since I began this sport the quest to get faster has been constant. That quest led me to start training with a friend, to join a running club, to a weekly group ride, to forming a triathlon club, and to get a coach. While definitely not saying I have achieved all there is to achieve as an age grouper, nor discounting the level of competition to be found in the age group ranks, I feel the competition level I will encounter amongst the pros will present the ultimate challenge and only aid in my quest to be the best I can be. I love this sport. It has given me something in my life that I never knew I was missing, but that I needed so bad. Some of the most challenging, rewarding and exhilarating experiences of my life have come through this sport. It is not glory, status and certainly not money, but rather the desire to keep those experiences coming that motivates my decision to seek my pro membership.

I am certain the move up will come with more than its fair share of "bumps in the road", less than stellar results, and discouraging moments, but it is these elements that will make me push even harder to reach my full potential (whatever it may be). Thankfully, I won't be going it alone as I will have my fellow CoachingBIO teammate, Charisa, making the move right along with me.

So here's to the 2010 season being my most challenging and rewarding yet.

11 comments:

  1. That is excellent Ian. Seeing how you are aging up anyway, I am going to miss trying to chase you down.

    -berg

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  2. Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! Really excited for you guys. I'm sure it will be challenging but I'm also sure you will rise to the occasion!! I'm excited to follow along on your journey (via blog :)!!

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  3. Yeah Ian! A great decision that takes COURAGE for sure. it would be so easy to hide (well, SHINE!) for another year in the age groups- and i really admire you for stepping it up. can't wait to follow along...

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  4. It's about fricking time you announced. I have known since Charisa announced and I beat it out of her. (Not literally, it was really more like, I asked nicely.) You are going to rock and have so much fun. Any 2010 race schedule yet?

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  5. Congrats man! I'm very, very happy for you! Good for you. You deserve it :-)

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  6. Great decision. And I am loving your Mom's comment on FB in relation to this. She is awesome.

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  7. Definitely the best decision you could make! Take advantage of your triathlon gnarliness while you're young and able.

    Now when you're 95 years old, you can tell your great grandkids how much of a rockstar pro athlete you were. How cool is that?!

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  8. As I said to Charisa, I think this is a VERY bad idea.

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  9. :)
    PERFECT, what have you got to lose, nada!
    See you on the line!!

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  10. How did I miss Charisa going pro? Good on ya Ian!

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