Monday, February 2, 2009

Officially a full time athlete...But not by choice

Athletes usually like to do things on their own terms. So when I was 'let go' from my full-time job as a photojournalist last week, I wasn't as excited as I should be. 

For months I had fantasizing about having time off, being able to travel for as long as I wanted, and be a full-time athlete like so many of my competitors. But I expected to be able to decide when I was going to make this big step--but the decision was made for me.

I should be excited to have time off, but it hasn't set in yet and I forgot to save money up in order to do so. Oh wait, it's almost impossible to make save money on a journalist salary because you don't get paid squat. 

I'm hoping this is a blessing in disguise, I don't think I could handle another summer trying to work and train full time. Now I can really focus on racing as long as I can find a way to pay the bills and travel. 

I should feel more excited than I do, but I am still dealing with the shock of being laid off.  Things were hectic for so long, I don't feel like I've had much real time off, all of my vacation was spent traveling to races and rushing back right afterward. 

I will be heading off to Austria in a week for a week or longer then back for a few weeks where I will be working on some freelance projects and then off to Colorado Springs for a USAT Trade Team camp. Then my racing season will officially start!

3 comments:

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Emma-

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Sari Anderson said...

I'm jealous! Wish I could get laid off from one of my jobs so I could train more. Bummer though. Good luck in Europe.
-Sari Anderson

Mark Lundblad said...

Great job Emma at Winter Tri Worlds, very impressive. I'm sure it was the shoes on the run portion that made all the difference...ha..Congrats also on the relay team getting silver. Great stuff! Keep it up.