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!