Old 11-15-18, 12:00 PM
  #19  
carleton
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Originally Posted by queerpunk
The bad & the ugly was having 2 of the past 3 seasons interrupted by...
...life.

I can relate.

It seems like that what you have to give up to win, for elites or masters.

Not every elite or master does it. Some are naturally gifted but most simply work hard and pay a lot of dues.

Here's the reality of it: All it takes is for 3 of your dozens of competitors to either be naturally gifted or give up their free time and go "all-in" with training to bump you off the podium. Even if you go all-in yourself and dedicate an entire year or 4 to training, you still have to fight tooth and nail to get a spot on the podium.

It's really hard to do that and function as an adult (career, relationships, kids, bills, hobbies).

That's what makes Masters Nationals such a crap-shoot. Especially in the fast and competitive age groups (35-39, 40-44, 45-49) where the top speeds are on par with elites.

After plateauing in 2012, I took a break and LIFE got better. Career got better. Family got better. Relationships got better. Hobbies got better. I had fun again...and money in my pocket
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