86 and a butt days until graduation and graduation leave for the class of 2018

I don’t know what it’s like at “real college,” but at West Point everyone counts down to graduation basically from day one. The United States Military Academy is generally a place that cadets seek to get through to graduation with commissioning as the ultimate goal--the light at the end of four years of work. Now I am 86 days out from graduating and commissioning (hopefully, fingers crossed) and I am so excited. I am ecstatic to start the next chapter, put what I’ve been working towards into practice, and most importantly, have a kitchen and maybe even a bathtub! So don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t be happier about graduating, but I also just made my race schedule for 2018 and the uncertainty of the whole thing is daunting. After reporting to my Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC), I have far less control over my training and race schedule. While West Point tightly manages your time and overloads your schedule, it does protect time for sports. More importantly, it has given me a group of like minded friends, and I am beyond grateful for all the opportunities the West Point triathlon team has given me. The team has been a source of motivation, camaraderie, and a much needed outlet from the daily grind since day one. In addition, through my team I have gotten to race and train in incredible locations with a great group of people. Once I graduate I will have to go seek those opportunities on my own, without my team to back me up. It's a little intimidating to venture out without the support system I have had for the last several years.

In addition to the looming precipice of July 25th, the day I report to BOLC, I have been attaching a level of stress to triathlon training that simply wasn’t there before I earned my elite designation. I have been comparing myself and my training to others in warmer places with more time, and it taints every workout I do with a hint of frustration. It doesn’t taste good, and it’s counter productive. I don’t mean to make excuses for myself. Consistency is key for triathlon training, and I never want to be complacent in my training and recovery time. But on occasion, reality steps in. I can’t always complete my training the way I want to given my schedule. I will have to cut a workout short due to a mandatory formal dinner, or I miss some recovery time because I am up late doing homework. I need to take advantage of every opportunity I have to make the most of my training, but when I am frustrated with training or feeling bitter because I don’t have someone motorcycle pacing me in Arizona or swimming with dolphins in Hawaii, I am being a baby. I want to take my triathlon career to the next level, but it's equally important that I remain grateful while I do it. I want to be grateful for every bike ride, every track session, and every swim. I want to appreciate every time I get to train with my friends and approach every workout with a thankful heart and leave with a full one. I know this is difficult to do every day, especially when I am tired or stressed, but it’s a good goal, and it is ultimately more fulfilling.

My life may change, but I need triathlon to continue to be my stress relief, my happy place, my constant, even as I try to take it to a new level. Here’s to 86 days to Graduation.

Special Thanks to Jessica Boerner for her help in editing this post.