What's Next?

One question every endurance athlete knows well is the dreaded "What's Next?" It usually comes in the days following completion of a major race, such as an Ironman, a marathon or an adventure race. The feelings and emotions you feel after reaching such a big goal make it all worthwhile. I remember after my first Ironman race back in 1989, i felt invincible. Everything was possible! It was a high that lasted for months. But those feeling of accomplishment are often mixed with an emptiness. You have just reached something you dreamed about each and every night for the past year, and now its gone. What's Next?

Over the past 20 years, my "What's Next?" has usually been Ironman Canada. After completing it 8 time, i was ready for something different. It had got to the point where i knew i could finish another Ironman, and while it is still a huge challenge, it didn't scare me like it used to. I needed something bigger that would make me really have to change my life in order to complete it. I was really enjoying Mountain biking and Trail running, and have always wanted to try adventure racing race, so I started looking for something there. I signed up for the Test of Metal in June of 2009 ( see previous race report) partly as a personal test. I had been thinking about entering a Mountain biking stage race, such as La Ruta de Los Conquistadores, a 4 day stage race across Costa Rica, and wanted to see how i would do at that distance. But my results at the Test of Metal told me i was not quite ready for it yet. I signed up for a few Momar Adventure races to gain experience in that field, but the bigger races all required teams of like-minded racers. While i enjoy my crazy endurance events, i am not the fastest person out there, so finding teammates of the same ability can be challenging.

Sooooooooooooo, What's Next?

I am happy to announce I have registered for the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run , a six day trail running stage race across the Rockies of Colorado. I have signed up with my friend Gabi Moeller, another like minded endurance junkie facing the same question, What's Next? While neither of us are exceptional athletes, or as she calls them, "little genetic freaks", we both enjoy a challenge, and pushing ourselves to do the best we can with what we have. It will be a lot of hard work just getting to the start line, as I will need to change a lot of bad habits to get into the best shape of my life in order to compete. But i have finally found another challenge that scares me and motivates me as much as my first Ironman did. Wish me luck, as it's a long road ahead.