Saturday, October 22, 2011

No Regrets

I think one of the best gifts you can give yourself is to try and live your life with "no regrets".  To live life in such a way that you treat people as they should be treated, you love others as they should be loved, and you follow your passions without apology.  People who successfully accomplish this and keep their heads about them, are usually people that I greatly admire. 

Of course I haven't made it through 32 years of life without some regrets!  I've definitely made mistakes, and I'm sure I will make more.  But with the concept of "no regrets" in mind, I've decided to race professionally next triathlon season. 

FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been looking forward to this for a very long time.  Although when I first started into triathlon I had no concept of what "going pro" meant, it didn't take long for me to start to wonder if perhaps I'd ever be able to do such a thing!  The idea fascinated me and as I got a little faster each year it was easier and easier to envision myself making the leap.  But then at the end of the season each year, it just didn't feel quite right.  I would finish a season and start to dream of goals the next year and those goals would almost always center around staying amateur.  In 2009 the goal was to finish on the podium at 70.3 Worlds.  In 2010 the goal was Kona.  In 2011 the goal was to do well at Kona.  I kept coming up with excuses to remain an age grouper!

Without a doubt 2011 was a breakthrough year for me.  It may not have looked like it from the outside but in my own mind, I made a lot of gains.  I set PRs for sure.  I was able to compete with people I've never even been close to before.  I was able to win a few races.  But probably my biggest breakthrough came in training - in being able to handle a much larger work load both physically and mentally and ENJOY it (um...most of the time... :).  I got a little peek into what it would take on a day to day basis to compete at a higher level and I realized that I enjoyed that challenge just as much if not more so than the actual racing itself.  And that's when racing pro really started to feel right for 2012.  I was not just in love with the idea of racing pro like in years past, I was also starting to really love the idea of putting in all that work to see how good I could really be.  (and lets make no bones about it, it truly is A LOT of work)

When I started to think of goals for 2012, what REALLY excited me most was the challenge of racing against some of the best women triathletes in the world.  How would I measure up?  I may not like the answer to that question!!!  :)  But it's exciting to have the opportunity to at least find that answer and live with no regrets or no "what ifs".  I can't tell you how big my smile gets when I think of this!  Like I said in this article, we all need something that gets us out of bed each morning to train and this new challenge will undoubtedly serve as excellent motivation for me!  Nothing like knowing you will be starting races with Julie Dibens to get thy butt to thy pool to learn how to swim STAT!  :)

I reached out to several other pro women who have taken similiar paths and they all provided extremely candid and helpful advice in making the transition, of which I am so thankful for.  So after a lot of thought and discussion with Oscar and a (very) long chat with Dirk, who really emphasized some key ideas (like PATIENCE), I've decided to do this thing!  I have no idea where this next part of my journey is going to take me but I'm very excited to find out!  Here we go!!!!!!!!!!

32 comments:

  1. Such exciting news Beth! I'm glad to see you're making the step to the pros! I'm sure it will force you to grow even more than you already have.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, Beth! This is so exciting!!! I am very much looking forward to seeing you work your way through the pro ranks because I am sure you will! I wish you all the best and hope to see you in a few more races next season. It was great meeting you in Vegas! Good luck and ENJOY!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so excited for you beth! so happy you made this decision. you have such a great team in your corner and you are ready!! can't wait to follow the ups and downs of your journey and if you ever need a training trip in the winter we are here for you! you never regret the things you do in life, only the things you don't do and you've made this decision with such sound planning, advice and good perspective. yea for 2012 and chasing dreams! you belong on that start line with julie dibens!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love it. Be there behind you 100%. Xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's awesome Beth! And Dibens has nothing on you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. super excited for you beth! congrats :) you will do awesome out there and you definitely have what it takes-

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome, Beth! So excited for you! Can't wait to see what you do.

    ReplyDelete
  8. How great! Congrats on the next part of your journey. I think of the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Dive". You're diving in head first with your faith! Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'd say it was a breakthrough year:
    *Top 5 OA amateur in NO70.3
    *2nd amateur at Columbia
    *OA Champ at Eagleman 70.3
    *OA Champ at Vineman 70.3
    *Champ of the North Park Tri
    *3rd amateur IN THE WORLD (2nd AG) at 70.3 World Championships
    *Top 20 amateur at Kona.

    Yep. You're ready!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What Michelle said. You're ready so jump in head first Beth!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So stoked for you! Can't wait to watch ya rip it up as a Pro!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations Beth!!! SO so so excited to read this news!!! Looking forward to following you along in your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  13. x2 on what your husband said!!! I am so excited for you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. YES! and now we need that puffins sponsorship dont we:)!
    Super excited for you beth, cheering for you is easy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. YES! Of course you are - and should be! CONGRATS on the "promotion" and NO REGRETS - good for you!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'll be cheering for you on the other side!!!! But wait......we won't be able to swim next to each other next year:( Congratulations on your decision Beth!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh wow!!!! I was wondering when this would happen. I have so enjoyed following your race accomplishments. Here's to great success and FUN in the new chapter of your life!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beth congrats!
    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good on ya Beth. Your hard work and dedication mixed with the professionalism you bring to the sport makes this a wise decision. I can't wait to cheer for you as you tow the line in the PRO field!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The next logical step for you, for sure! Glad you are taking the plunge and good luck! Are you going to continue working or will you concentrate more on triathlon?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congrats Beth! Looking forward to seeing your success in 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I had a "sneak peak" at this decision...and I still think it is SO COOL!!! Very excited for you, living the dream! 2012 will be the start of a great adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think it's going to be an awesome ride!! So happy you're making the jump!! Congrats and here's to No Regrets!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ahhh... I should've read this before our conversation in the gym this morning - I had heard somewhere that you'd likely be racing pro next year but didn't know any details :)

    Congrats again -- this is so cool. I'm so excited for you and I completely agree about living life with no regrets!

    ReplyDelete
  25. congrats on your awesome year! time to play with the big girls... you are ready:))!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is so exciting! You are going to do great!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That is so exciting Beth!!! Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congrats Beth! You will do awesome!!!

    ReplyDelete