There has been one huge difference I noticed when I moved from DC to Denver. Not the scenery, not the altitude, but my attitude. I was calm. Content with myself and where I was in my life both personally and athletically. Not competing with those around me.
Back in DC, I felt like almost everything was a competition whether you wanted it to be or not. I was on a team of very supportive triathletes but there was certainly some underlying competitiveness to keep up. Who has a nicer bike, a more expensive wheel set, who is training harder or running more miles. And the truth is- I’m not a competitive person with anyone but myself yet I got caught up in the competitive attitude, which to me, makes things a lot less fun. Not knocking anyone in DC, it is just the general attitude of the city (athletically, financially, in the work force).
When I got to Colorado, all of a sudden that dissapeared. I run with a group on Wednesday evenings and I am the SLOWEST one (Colorado runners are damn fast!). Instead of feeling frustrated and upset, I finished last with a smile on my face and no one judged me. Not even me. For once I feel at peace with my training, or lack thereof, and I am not comparing myself to anyone but me.
I not only feel this way about training, but my current life situation as well. I am a soon-to-be grad student making very little (and soon to be zero) income. Phil and I have had to team up our finances and work as a team to make things work. He is supporting both of us and with one income for the next three years, we have a budget to stick to in order to plan wisely for our future (ie: wedding, children, buying a house, having a savings account). Because of this, I decided to not do many triathlons this season- and I feel no pressure at all to sign up for several. A few is just fine.
wedding
I like this!!
yup. this.
filed under: all the things i hate about DC that i would love about living somewhere else. you will have an extra room in your house, right?
second.
Sounds great.
I love this
No one should ever make you feel inferior! You’re amazing and a great runner/triathlete/person, so cheers to feeling less stressed about all that stuff now that you’ve moved to CO!
This is such a great post. <3 You're such a great friend && I'm SO lucky to know you. It makes me happy to hear that you love being in Colorado so much!
I stumbled across your blog last week, but I feel compelled to comment and tell you I left dc last year after being in the city for 7 years both during and after college, and that was EXACTLY my reaction- I felt calm. I felt like I could finally relax, and be myself, and feel calm again. People always act like im crazy when i say this, because theyve been to dc for a vacation or two, so they cant understand how much the compeition wears on you. I’m glad to hear you’re benefiting from the change of scenery just as much as I am!
I was also in DC for college and after- for 7 years as well! It was certainly time to go and settle in somewhere else. I’m glad Im not the only one who felt like that! Where are you now?
i chose Denver over DC for my destination after law school! as much as i love both cities, i needed a break from the east coast pace, a chance of scenery (literally, i still stare at the mountains in awe), and a place where i could breathe. i’m glad you are happy with with you are at, and enjoying the present
I guess you and I will be cheerleaders this season! I currently have zero races on the schedule… which makes me a little sad since Boston is tomorrow…
oh well, now I have to re-qualify and try again next year 
Colorado rocks and it seems like it has a soothing effect on all of us transplants!
East coast is all about competition! Now that I’ve been here for almost a year I feel so much…relaxed…and “me”. Glad you are okay with the changes too!