Thanks very much!

I started to write this post at 5.30am one day last week. I've been waking up at that time so often these past few years that it's almost innate.

Early next month Margreet and I will depart Sydney for Vancouver. Our journey won't be quite that direct but it's where we'll resettle later this year - after a few days in Kona.

We arrived here a month apart seven years ago, just before triathlon debuted at the Olympics. After completing two half ironman races on our own, we began training with John and his collection of like-minded and crazed athletes in late 2000. So far, Margreet has five M-dot races on her athletic resume, and I have seven.

I wanted to say thanks to John for his patience and advice. With his guidance, I’ve excelled as an athlete beyond what I had ever imagined.

Two key lessons that I take from John: consistency is critical; and, there is no substitute for hard work.

What lies ahead has yet to be decided – I don’t want to limit myself in any way.

**

No matter how disciplined we are, we all struggle with motivation from time to time. I’m no different.

Notwithstanding the occasional Red Bull, Mars bar or both, it’s the camaraderie of the group that has kept me going. I’ll miss that the most.

Thanks very much to all of you for helping to push me around the park and up the hills these past few years.

**

As my time winds down here in Sydney, I am looking to pass the baton on this blog to someone else. If you are interested, please let me know and I'll offer whatever advice is sought. Change is always positive and so I'd encourage a fresh start as the 2007-2008 season begins.