The adventure begins.

Officially, one might say the adventure began when I submitted my letter of resignation. And that might be true. But somehow yesterday was the first one of those breakthrough days, you know when something clicks, is crystal clear, and you are certain you are headed in the right direction. Sure I knew before I was doing right, the best for my future and well-being, but there was quite a bit of fog I felt I was still wondering through. Yesterday I stood tall as a proud 29-year old, one day past my birthday, and was nothing but satisfied with with the adventure I have created for myself and the challenges I will face along the way.

So now for a little background for those of you with little idea of what this adventure in my life is all about... Two and a half weeks ago I submitted my letter of resignation from employment of a pretty good job. "Good" for someone other than me. A great paycheck, stable, definitely challenging, highly respected, good people, and opportunity for advancement; not what I wanted to be doing with my life. Sure all those things are important to me, but there is also much more, and that I was missing. So after three years of employment, with the last year a constant internal struggle for personal satisfaction and enjoyment in the workplace, I shocked the socks off most co-workers, and resigned. Frankly, I quit my job to follow a dream. Who in this economy, QUITS their job to follow a dream, with no guarantees for the future what-so-ever? I'm willing to bet, not a lot of people.

I have this mantra "you're in it (life) for the experience". So I'm it it for the experience. I live one day at a time; but always with a plan and an ultimate goal. I know what I want, it's just a matter of "living" while I take my time and work towards getting there. So you ask, what is it that you "want"? What is this dream you are chasing? Easy, ultimate satisfaction with life. And perhaps more specifically and short term: acceptance into medical school and qualifying for the World Championship Ironman in 2011. Not exactly small goals. But completely achievable. I'm taking on the world, anything and everything; keeping an open mind for opportunity and doing only what I want.

I agree this sounds a bit "dreamy". Yes my head is probably in the clouds. It just boiled down to acknowledging my potential, and finding the means to make it happen. So the next few months of my life will be nothing but awesome and incredibly busy. I have a small reserve built in my bank account, so I can afford to live for a few months just fine. I'm currently enrolled in a biology class at a local community college. This course is serving as a brain refresher and to re-establish a study routine. I recently officially began a training program for the 2011 Coeur d'Alene Ironman that will serve as my qualifying race for Kona. I've never actually followed a structured training plan, so this will be interesting. I've committed to taking the MCAT on January 28th, which I intend to do phenomenal on so that I can be a competitive applicant in next years application process. I'm 90% complete with requirements to become a certified triathlon coach which I'm hoping to make into a super awesome hobby to earn a few dollars here and there. I started a (minimal) part-time job working at the front desk of a local YMCA, so do I have a little structure in my week. Eventually I will run low on money and will be forced to find more work. But the current plan is to first get through the MCAT, studying full time, and then find a another job to support myself. Without a strong performance on the MCAT, my dream of being of physician won't happen- SO it's that important to me that I quit my job.

My adventure begins. Making the most out of life, taking the time to breathe fresh air, and leave my footprint. As I agree life as a whole, is just one big adventure, I will be documenting this specific time in my life to share with family and friends. This is me, seeing the world for what it is, and going after what I believe in.

"Crazylegs, it it for the experience: The adventures of an athlete who takes on the world."