I almost didn't make it to Burlington, VT for the USAT Age Group National Championships. A lot happened 24 hours before my flight. I still had not been able to swim due to my bike crash. I had chopped off part of my thumb while cooking. When the taxi showed up at 4:30 am to take me to the airport, my wife and son did not come with me. I lacked confidence, I was without my family, my spirit was broken and I was lost. My heart sank when I told the airlines my wife was not traveling with me. During my layover in Chicago, I seriously contemplated calling my dad to come and pick me up. And I did not want to show up in Burlington like this. I did my best to hide all that was going on with me, and put on my best game face and help my team mates. If I had not been racing for the Endurance Films Racing Team, I would not have traveled to Burlington. There's no need to really go over my race too much. I was able to swim. I was 11th in my age group on the swim and 14th on the run. Though my bike has improved, I still have a long way to go. I finished 27th in a wicked fast race this year. At that point I called it a season. Resigned, even relieved that I did not have to train anymore, I felt free. I didn't have to check my weight every morning. I was free to drink my Guinness Stout. I could sleep til 7:30 am! I could do more of the things my wife keeps reminding me I promised her. No more traveling. No more training. A simpler life. The funny thing is, without a race, without a training program, with NOTHING TO DO, I feel lost. I get restless. I ride my bike to work. Hey, that was fun. At work I run a few miles at lunch so I wont sit at my desk all day. I come home from work and I try to sit and relax on the couch and watch tv and I got really good at this for a few days, but the next thing I know I'm on the porch and I'm hitting the punching bag and working out with resistance bands. This past week I woke up and decided to run the 6 miles to work and I really enjoyed it. I jump on my bike trainer just to do something. And now, some of my associates and I have entered a Bicycle challenge to see who among us can ride the most miles (and track them on Strava) during the month of September So this morning at 6:30 am I was up and out the door on my bike, wind and rain be damned, to get in a good 32 miles on the first day . . . Now that I'm not training, I love training!