Calgary - a new city and a different me.

What I remember about Calgary comes from two places in my past. It is a place I grew up in until I was 11 years. It also is a place I returned to chase my Olympic dreams as a synchronized swimmer. Growing-up the memories I have are fond. I had the idyllic childhood - long summers playing in the yard, sleepovers, winters spent at the pool, at the neighbourhood ice rink, Nakiska ski resort, pizza nights, Olympics of 1988, Fish Creek park... the list could go on. Coming back when I was 16 to swim was a different story. It was a struggle despite amazing support of the Gregory's, Korenda's and to the extent they could, my family. I struggled to find a job, struggled to get to the pool, ballet, and work without a car, struggled to make it financially and struggled to make the adjustment to life without school and being "on my own". With all the pressures, my synchronized swimming career took a downhill spiral. Arriving I was at the top of elite athletics. Leaving I felt like I was with the bottom feeders in the deep ocean.

Fast forward 10 years - I had travelled the world, earned two degrees, loved, forged incredible friendships and found myself in a career with the Canadian Government. I was ready for the next challenge. In comes triathlon.

Five additional years and I am here as a professional triathlete in Calgary. Something drew me here to do my first 70.3 triathlon (half ironman). Riding and running parts of the course yesterday I think I started to understand why. First is the beauty of being in the prairies. The huge blue sky with the rocky mountains as the backdrop. The birch trees. The meandering creeks and rivers. The second reason is that I needed to be here to further embrace and understand myself as an elite athlete. Swimming taught me discipline, the importance of team, coaching, trust, and hard work. Somewhere in my career as a synchronized swimmer though I lost the love of the sport yet could not let go because it was who I was - or at least thought it was.

Coming here I realize that I am a triathlete and it defines what I do day in and day out. It is 100% my lifestyle and I do it because I am passionate about the sport. Yet, it does not define me. I much rather think that the relationships I have, support, and grow in define me. It is how I do my work (train, eat, sleep) not the end result of it. I want success that is defined by being at the top of the podium just as my competitors yet understand that this is only part of it. So cheesy but so true - it is the journey not the destination.

I have incredible life experiences behind me and so many rich experiences ahead of me. I have an optimism, confidence and love of where I am in life. I am once again here as an elite athlete at the top of my game - but better. I am prepared mentally and physically to be in this race. If you are wondering what I might be thinking over the 4.5 hours of hard work, it is about how much I love what I do... being in the water fighting to get around the buoy in first, getting on the bike flying up and down the hills, and finally being blissed out in the run because I know I can - the biggest gift yet. I also will be joyful that I am in this incredible city, creating new memories and taking all that I am in it. Zoom Zoom - here I go!