3 weeks later

It's been a little over three weeks since the race and I wanted to write one more post for 2009. The end of the double iron was the official end to my 2009 season.

It has been a long year of training and it has been nice to have some time to myself these past few weeks. I have gotten a chance to catch up with some friends, meet some new people, and spend quality time with my dog. As my body has been resting and repairing itself I have been job searching. Since I haven't really been employed in 2009, my whole year revolved around training for two races, now that the second race is over I've begun the job searching process. Believe it or not it is harder to get a phone call from a company then it is training for a ridiculous race. There are so many people out of work that there is so much competition even for the most entry level of jobs. Employers have it made...the unemployed have a tough road ahead. I am job searching with the same level of dedication as I gave my triathlon training and am hoping that something will happen soon.

It only took a few days for the muscle pain to go away but my heart rate is still pretty high. I've swam a few times, biked a few times and even run some. It has been nice going out for an hour bike ride or a five mile run. The 200+ mile bike rides and the 30+ mile runs were getting old. I've found the joy I have been missing in working out. It's good to know that I still enjoy this multi sport lifestyle after my race. As I sit here searching the job boards and writing this post I am thinking about what the 2010 season will hold for me. I have some ideas but I made a promise to someone that I would not commit to anything until after I found a job and got settled in there. I took a year off from my professional career to focus on something personal. Now it's time to shift that focus back to my professional career and personal relationships. Training is now on the back burner.

I wanted to share a video created by Sam Pasceri of his triple iron race this year. Though I did not personally meet Sam (since his race started 24 hours before mine) during my 29+ hours of racing we shared the same battlefield. Every time I watch this video I get choked up and I wanted to share it with all of you. I've spent a whole year trying to explain to people why I would want to attempt something so ridiculous and Sam captured my thoughts and feelings at the beginning of his video. It is nice to know that there are more people out there that feel the same as I do. We come from different walks of life but we all share the same desire to discover something deep within ourselves. It truly was an experience that forever has changed my life.

Enjoy the video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lienORgckOo

Thanks again for all of your support this past year. I would not have made it through my training without the support of my friends and family.

Thank you Tracy, Becky, Melissa and Bob for literally being there every step of the way.

Thank you Peter for your coaching and guidance and showing me that anything is possible.

Everyone has been asking me what is next. What is my next physical accomplishment going to be? I spent the last 12 hours of my race telling my crew that there is no way I would ever attempt the triple iron. I kept saying, "why would you do that to your body". When I woke up Monday morning, 18 hours after I finished my race, my first thought was- I wonder if I could finish the triple. That said, go back and watch the beginning of Sam's video again and you'll understand.

Congrats to Sam Pasceri and all the finishers of the triple iron and to all the finishers of the double iron. It was such an honor to share the battlefield with such an amazing group of people.

See you next year!