God has done Great Things for me!

It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. ~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

I have always been slightly obsessed with fitness. When I was little, my imaginary friends were named push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups. I would put in Jane Fonda workouts and lead my class of odd named friends through the exercises. When I was in middle school, I commented to a friend that I wished I could just put all my time into training and leave school and work for when I am old. I made posters with my goal to go to the Olympics and always replied that I wanted to be a swimmer when I grew up. My parents delivered the painful news that even the best swimmers don't make any money, and I would have to have an occupation to support myself (this was before Michael Phelps, and is still true for 99.8% of all swimmers, and triathletes for that matter). When I applied to The Peddie School, and received a generous scholarship, my parents reminded me that I was not going away just to swim, the academics came first.   

As of these past few weeks, I can officially say that I am living out my dream! I know I have been on this journey and in one way or another, living out my dream all along. But, I finally feel as though I am not struggling to get somewhere, but am where I am meant to be. I made the risky move, packed up my car and drove to Colorado to pursue new training grounds and training partners. I couch surfed for two weeks, living out of my car, finally moved into a place, slept on the floor for a week, and just yesterday scored a pretty nice free futon.  I have made my new home in Boulder,  a valley of professional athletes living to train.Thanks to my education, Monday I will start a nice office job with the Boulder County Land Use and Planning office to support my ambitions. God has blessed me so abundantly, especially in this last week. I cannot begin to tell you how many Hallelujah s and "Praise God"s I have sung with great joy this week.   

I came to the realization yesterday, that my dream isn't to go to the Olympics, it is a goal for which I continuously strive. My true dream, as when I was a youth, was to eat, sleep, train and live for fulfilling that ultimate goal. I am now living that dream. Everything, I have been doing, am doing, and will be doing are to that end. Dreams are about the journey not the destination. I know that money will probably get tight, I will have set backs, disappointments. I endured many uncertainties in the last few weeks; but I kept sane and calm through prayer, and reminders from friends that God will make a way for me. It is at the hardest times that we must not doubt our God and our Dreams. I truly feel that anything is possible when you keep your eyes on the prize.

  

On that note, training has been amazing!.... despite the fact that I have suffered plantar fasciitis in my foot, and have not run in a month. The good news is that I saw Dr. Jamie Mieras at Boulder Valley Foot and Ankle clinic, and am now working with a great physical therapist, at Coal Creek PT. I have already reduced the pain and inflammation, and have begun to workout my severe muscle imbalances. Meanwhile, I have been doing lots of swimming, aqua jogging and cycling. I earned 4th in the Pro/1/2/3 at the Tour de Sol Stage bike race, and 2nd at the Weld County Road Race in Cat 3. I have had the great pleasure of swimming with some true characters here in Boulder, pros Jimmy Seear, Callum Millward and Geoff Hawksworth. While I miss my little Jackson swimmers greatly, I could not be happier with the moves God is making in my life! Thank you to everyone who has, and continues to  help make my dreams come true!