That's it (for now)

So. Here we are.

Eleven years ago I signed up for my first triathlon on a whim. The plan was to finish, survive, and maybe never do it again. Somewhere along the way I set a goal: qualify for Kona within five years. It took eight. But it happened - twice.

At some point you have to admit that you’ve completely overshot your own expectations - and that it might be time to stop before the universe corrects the situation for you.

Here’s the honest version: I still like triathlon. The sport is great. The community is great. Early morning swims, suffering on the bike, dying on the run - genuinely great. But I don’t love it the way I used to. And if you’re going to spend 20 hours a week doing something, love is probably the minimum bar.

Eleven years of early alarms, long rides, and obsessive nutrition planning have taught me a lot. About what I’m capable of, about where my limits actually are, about patience, about suffering, about the kind of people who voluntarily stand in cold open water at 6am. Time for other things now.

Grateful for every single race, every training partner, every finish line. It’s been a good Run. Ride. Swim.

- chrisgross.was.racing