So let's get to it. It's the off season. It gets cold, it gets dark, it gets just down right miserable here on the east coast. I had a plan to combat this though! I was doing more racing this past season so that I could make a bit of a name for myself and apply for a team this off season. Going into a new season with a new team, a team that I always dreamed of would give me that "high" to carry me through this off season and get me to the spring ready to rock. As you may have guessed things did not quite go as planned. I applied to two teams. I will not put the teams on bast but one straight up denied me and the other "never got my application". One of the teams is one that I have had my eye on since I started this sport. Maybe it's a sign, maybe it's not right but nonetheless it was a hinge moment for me. A moment that made me reconsider a few things and a few different approaches.
As you may know I had a GoFundMe account set up at the end of this summer to help off-set the cost of a new bike. So I began to focus on that and how I could maximize the amount of support I received from family and friends. It was absolutely incredibly how supportive people are and I am still, to this day, beside myself and cannot thank everyone enough.
Between the let down of not getting on to two teams again and the training break I took after the Marine Corps Marathon things started to spin out of control. I ended up loosing interest in my training among other things. Luckily enough I caught myself and I could right it before things got completely out of control and get back on track!
One day a good friend said to me "Yo man, why don't you apply to Xterra Wetsuits to be an ambassador." I figured hey it couldn't hurt so I did. I applied to them and heard back pretty quickly and after talking with the East Coast regional manager I was in! This got my brain working. I started thinking of brands I use and love and I started reaching out to them. Some I heard back from and others I did not. It got me back on track though! I am now an ambassador for Xterra Wetsuits, Delmo Sports Elite Events, and Infinit Nutrition. All brands that I know, use and love and I couldn't be happier with the results. If anyone has any questions or needs help I would be happy to assist in any way that I can.
Now at this point you may be thinking wow, this guy is certainly tooting his own horn here. Confession time.....not my intention at all! I am using this for two reasons, first, according to a very smart man, Jon Acuff, I had what was called a hinge moment. Something was going on that I didn't like and I had to change it. I had two options, I could really let this get to me and just hang it up. Say you know what forget it, I don't have what it takes to make it on these teams so why am I even doing this. As much as I don't want to admit it, that thought crossed my mind a time or two. My other option was to find a better way. That's what I did. I took the advice from a friend and I ran with it. You have the same choice. It could be with your job, relationships, training, or all of the above. Whatever it is you may do, sit down, think about it, bring it up to people you trust and really put some thought into it. I promise things will work out if you put the time in and take the time to figure it out.
As for training, Monday marks the start of a 16-week block leading up to my first 70.3 race in Atlantic City. I am anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time. I can't wait to get things moving and I can't wait for this season to really get under way.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the support!
All for now.
Keep FSU and Do It For Yourself
