Just Leap

I went rock climbing with my sister yesterday, and she somehow convinced me to tackle a hard route that she just completed (Karen is a much better climber than I am). It started out okay but quickly got rough at an overhang as my forearms were spazzing and my fingers were locking so I could barely grip anymore. I leaned back and sat with the belay line.

My partner in crime in scaling climbs!

"You just have to leap and catch that one hold, then the rest is easy," Karen advised me.

"You made it look easy! And my fingers and arms are shutting down. I'm ready to come down."

"Well, you better hurry before you tire even more. Just jump!"

I replanted my feet, readjusted my hand holds, and leaped. I caught the rock I needed and then proceeded to climb my way to the top.

I realized today how similar that 5.9b climb is to my triathlon career and dream.  In the summer of 2012, I finally figured out my purpose in life, and after (reluctantly) giving in, I began to love life in a way I never thought I could. I quit my job, I indefinitely postponed medical school, and I pursued triathlon. This was my first leap, and with any drastic change, of course, comes disagreement and disapproval. My parents strongly voiced their opinions and kept reminding me how foolish and crazy I was (they still do sometimes). The rest of my family agreed and would call me from out of the country to repeat the same concerns. 

It was just me and my dream against the world. I knew I was meant to be an athlete for life and to inspire countless others during my journey. Armed with just my drive and a few close friends as supporters, I took it upon myself to research what tools I needed whether it be mentally, emotionally, or physically, and began to train myself.

The journey has been long and rough, full of anger, sadness, injuries, frustration, and doubts (lots of it!), but there have also been times of pure happiness, contentment, and validation. The positives have completely outweighed the negatives, and I have grown more into the person that I know I was born to be. I'm the healthiest I've ever been in all aspects of the heart, mind, soul, and body, and I'm only going to get even stronger from here. :)

Climbing my way to the top, in all aspects of life :)

In case you still don't know what my dream is, I want to become a professional triathlete. Ever since I was a little kid, I've dreamed of becoming a professional athlete. First it was as a track and field runner (I was really good at it [competed at the national level] until I gave it up), and then as a basketball player (I was pretty darn good at this too! ..until I gave it up). I chose academics over sports, as I was raised to do, and that led me to my demise in college as I forgot how important it is to pursue your passions, dream, and enjoy life.

I have learned my lesson the hard way, and I can assure you that I am not letting this dream out of my sight. I made another big leap earlier this year in March by acquiring a coach. I knew for a while that the question wasn't if I was going to get a coach but rather when I was going to team myself with one. To achieve my dream, this was the next step, and it is also a very important factor for success at the top level.

While I was recovering from my concussion and was banned from physical activity, I spent a good two weeks with my coach discussing my dreams, goals, and plans. I then performed VO2 max and lactate testing, and the results blew my mind away as it was more than I could've ever hope for. Six words that have changed my life since:

"You have a really big engine."

Some girls may take that as an insult, but in my world, it's one of the biggest and best compliments you can get. Basically, I have it in me to become a professional triathlete.  ...I HAVE IT IN ME! I KNEW IT ALL ALONG, BUT NOW THERE'S ACTUAL PROOF. I'M NOT CRAZY! I shared the news with my closest friends, and they of course somehow knew this all along, so I had to feed them some of my humble pie.. :P

Choo choo! (imagine the kid is Chinese..)

It has taken me a while to write this post because I debated about making this news public in the event that the dream doesn't come true, because let's face it, I still have a long road ahead of me, and anything can happen. At the same time, it is the journey that I'm after, not the end result, and I owe it to myself and to you to share all the experiences of joys and setbacks as I fervently chase this dream. Sharing this news will also allow you to help me stay on track, to remind me what I'm after, and to chide me for eating an extra serving of ice cream or something..

And on that note, my dreams/goals/plans for the next few years:

2014

1. Lean out to hit my career race weight.
2. Place in top 18 at Age Group National Championships Olympic Distance Triathlon to qualify to represent USA at 2015 Worlds.
3. Blog at least bi-monthly! Weekly if possible (a yearly goal :) )
4. Build a killer base for 2015 season

2015

1. Break the 5 hour mark for Ironman 70.3
2. Qualify for Ironman 70.3 World Championships
3. Break the 10 hour mark at Ironman Texas 2015
4. Qualify for Ironman World Championships in Kona
5. Compete at the 2015 Age Group World Championships
6. Compete at Age Group National Championships again, only if I have a chance to take the title

2016

1. If everything goes well in 2015, and I'm ready to make another leap.. TURN PRO!

I do realize how big and bold these goals and dreams are, and I may regret posting them, but I do not regret the fact that I am a big dreamer because I know I have the heart and drive to make my dreams come true. And with the unconditional support and love from my family, friends, coach, and sponsors in my arsenal, there's nothing I cannot achieve.

And I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

"If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."