Pete Jacobs: Professional Triathlete

October was a very busy month. First Hawaii, then celebrations. Short trip up north and celebrations. Then I proposed to Jaimie on my birthday and got engaged! More celebrations. My mates birthday, celebrations.  It has been pretty busy, but a very exciting month. I couldn’t have been happier with October 2009.

It was very nerve racking, preparing to propose,  and I completely shocked Jaimie and everyone else when I did. Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and kind words. When Jaimie asked how long I’d known I would propose, I said since the night we met. And it’s true, and an amazing feeling to find someone you are so attracted to in every way.

OK, now back a few weeks to just after Hawaii. I wrote a few words on the plane on the way home from Hawaii. I have partly been too busy, and partly put off writing anything else until all the emotions settled and my thoughts had time to process. But honestly, I feel pretty similar to how I felt then.  So here are my notes from the plane.

Ironman is tough. And although the finish brings joy, elation, and an overall feeling of having accomplished a challenge  like nothing else, it seems like the post Ironman blues is partly just mental fatigue, trying to get over the internal fight your body put up against your brain during the race. All those negative thoughts, and trying to fight through the pain, is tough to clear, especially when you feel a bit alone without that special person in your life to help shake those blues. Of course being tired and sore is also a big reason why you feel down, and rest and time help a lot!

When i was running into the top 10 I was stoked. It was hot as hell at times, and other times it felt beautiful to be running easy. But it was a feeling of work. And top 10 was the reward. But  in the days since the race I have felt something is lacking, (yes my gorgeous girlfriend now fiance` was missing and I felt  that post race), something else was missing. And growing weary on the plane back to Sydney I am thinking, and writing this.

2nd at IM Australia was just fun. I did bugger all training, just wanted top 10 and Hawaii spot. I enjoyed the run, qualified, and made some money!

2nd at Roth. I trained really well and was sure I would win. I came up short but I know  why, and I learnt about my training and racing. It was great. A good result for the work I put in and good money.

8th in Hawaii. I’d been travelling for a month and only got home the 5th September with very little training done. I did 2.5 weeks good training then arrived in Hawaii on Sunday, 5 days before the race. I stayed with friends(until mum and dad arrived wednesday), I did 1 run, 2 rides, swam the course and walked the athlete parade. The day before the race was a nightmare, spent mostly in the car or bike shop (we were staying way out the end of town, and things went wrong a couple of times), it was stressfull, not restfull. Excluding the last day, I felt fresh and thought top 10 was possible if I felt good on the day.

And I did. But when you get what you wanted, what you think you will be satisfied with, on as little work as possible, you will never really be satisfied. You will know you could have done better, if you had worked harder. this is true of everything, any job, exam, creation, anything you do.

So I am left with a hallow feeling, one that I want to avoid in the future. This year has taught me a lot. And I will change because of it. I will plan my year properly, plan my training better, and put more on the line mentally and physically which will make the successes sweeter and the praise more appreciated and accepted.

So THANKYOU to everyone who has ever said something nice and encouraging to me. Although at times it felt almost embarrassing, it all sticks in my head and does make a difference when the pain creeps in and I’m wondering why I’m running along a scorching Queen K highway.

I look forward to seeing you all at a race somewhere, and if there is a race you would like me to compete against you in, no matter how small, it can’t hurt to ask, and I might just see you there.

All the best

Pete Jacobs