Thursday, August 02, 2007

Coming Out of the Closet...

Slowly. I'm going to break the news slowly...

First, I've been tossing around the idea of going back to school. I rushed through college because I got married during my second semester and had Briar during my 4th semester. Anything that took longer than 4 years was out of the question. Being a teacher was out of the question, too - I'm not cut for out that. I thought computers were cool, so I decide I'd get a Computer Information Systems degree. I did so, in 4 years, and then really didn't do much with it for a few years because I had Bo shortly after, and I only wanted to work part-time before they started to school. I finally found a pretty good opportunity fairly close to home, though, being a software programmer. That is what I do now. I work 4 days a week, Mon-Thurs, and I live and die by my Friday. It's what keeps me sane. If I can even be considered sane, that is. But to be very honest...I don't get a lot of satisfaction out of my job. I don't think it's what I was meant to be doing. But the schedule works anyway, so I carry on. But deep inside - I have had something pulling at me for quite a while to go back to school. I want to go take the 16 hrs of Chemistry, the 8 hrs of Biology, and the 8 hrs of physics that I did not have in college and do what I really want to do - go to medical school. Become a doctor. But, that's a little a far fetched for my situation right now...not to mention my age (30).

I won't go into the pros and cons that I have formulated for going back to school. I'll just say I have not ruled it out, but I am not going to jump into it quite yet...even though I feel like the time is ticking away for my window of opportunity there.

So, in planning the possibility of going back to school, I had allotted my lunch break for the class I would possibly take this fall. But, upon my decision to not go down that road for now, my lunch break re-appeared - with full vacancy. Vacancy that could be filled with....say, the day's second workout (Marathon training is done mostly in the mornings while the boys are sleeping). Pfitz gives you these recovery run days where you are supposed to take it easy...and I'm thinking maybe I could squeeze an easy swim in on those days too, or an easy bike. David does sometimes. I could even save the run for lunch. My wheels keep turning. I'm doing the Gulf Coast Half Ironman in May. And I come back to the one thing that continues to come up every time I start planning stuff like this....

Ok, I'm coming out...here it is...

I've been thinking about signing up for IronMan Florida '08.

11 comments:

Tri-Dummy said...

First of all...the pic with your boys is a treasure.

Second...Ironman Florida...go for it!!!!

Brooke said...

How awesome, both the IronMan AND the school thing. Are there any classes you could take online?

I think going back to school is a great idea. Don't let age be a factor. I will be 35 before I finish nursing school. Then I will have to finish my BSN and finally get my Nurse Practitioner Degree. I may very well be 45 before I'm done.

Anonymous said...

DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've done two IMs in the last two years, and am signed up for another in '08. It's the ultimate challenge in triathlon, and, IMHO, the most significant althletic accomplishment most will ever achieve.

You won't regret it, I promise.

TriSonq said...

Awww. Great picture.

It's NEVER too late, unless you're 6 feet under.

IMFL! How awesome would that be for your tri resume. I know you can do it. The hardest part for you may be trying to sign up for it. Ha!

Missing you at the races lately!?!

Trisaratops said...

What an adorable pic!

30 is the new 20.

Man, I REALLY wish I could squeeze IMFL into my '08 now!!!! I think you should totally do it. You've proven already you can do the run. You're strong on the bike and steady on the swim. Trisonq is right--the scariest part is clicking the mouse! If you work with a coach, they can tailor a schedule for you to help you balance family, too. GO FOR IT! :)

Michele said...

I was just as shocked to see this here as I was to get that text message yesterday.

Hey, I will be crazy with you girl. Let me know when to make travel plans ;)

TJ said...

online registration for IM is a roll of the dice. you really can't be sure you'll get in. the only way to be sure is to register on site, which is what i did. you're guaranteed a slot if you're on site for registration. and....you can watch the craziness that you'll be doing the following year.
gulf coast is an awesome race. a definite must do if you're doing IMFL.
good luck!

Lance Notstrong said...

There's alot of opportunities in the medical field besides Dr. IM Florida sounds good too though :-)

Kate said...

Wow!! I don't think being 30 prevents you from doing medicine, but can definitely see how it might not be right for your situation right now.

And, as for IM, go for it! I'm amazed by you guys!

Rae said...

Go for it all! If you think about it, you have 35-40 years until retirement, what's a few years of school in all that time left?

As for IMFL, you will rock it! And it sounds like you need to go down there this year to make sure you get in!Road trip!!

I do the majority of my workouts at lunch now, and it really helps calm me the 2nd half of the day. Then I do additional workouts as I need to at night, and long ones on the weekend.

DV said...

at 30, or even 32 or 35, you very likely would not be the oldest in any med school class in the country.
the oldest guy in my class was 43 when he started, and one of the interns i work with now is 52 (making him 47 ir 48 when he started)...
check out this link to a forum for nontraditional med students -

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=316825

Congratulations on the IMFL decision!!