Enough… or Too Much?

As with any of my entries, bear with me. This will be the first time I tackle something on a more personal level than the race “reviews” or shoe reviews (that I still have yet to load)…
When does “enough” become “too much”? Sounds pretty simple, but if you’re like me, you tend to do everything in excess – it becomes the new trend, you dig it for awhile, but what happens when the water gets cold? For me, I’m left with what was once very effective, but has now become a room full of useless gear. You have a wall full of medals, a closet full of shoes and compression gear, and emptiness in your weekends, but the desire just isn’t there anymore. Where are you now?
Additionally, what will you sacrifice to keep the desire strong? Your job? Your life? Your family? I know for me, I can’t sacrifice any of that just to satisfy this new craving. But, for some of you, it may be worth pushing things until their breaking point just to see if they do break. Worst case, if they do break (any of the things I listed), you just have more time to pursue the dream. See, I started my newest obsession with the hopes of getting in better shape, eliminating some careless addictions, and in the long run extending my life so I could spend it with my family. I can honestly say that I have met and far exceeded my goal. I’ve lost close to 35 pounds in the last seven months, I’m involved more with my family, I’ve kicked some habits that I had, and I’m healthier than I ever remember being.
I joined the, without question, best team of individuals I have ever met (and some I have yet to meet) just over a year ago, and I couldn’t be more pleased with my decision. I can walk away today a better person, father, and (one day) “husband”. I feel that the CFS family makes better people, I see the benefits of the camaraderie every single day I check FB. But just like any addiction there comes a point when “enough” crosses the line and consequently becomes too much. I may be in the minority here, but I can’t put my family in jeopardy because I choose to go full-bore after something that I may never achieve. I’ve never been a gambling man, and I’m not about to start now. I’m no professional; racing doesn’t pay the bills that continue to come in, racing doesn’t lay down next to me after a long day of work, and racing doesn’t tell me goodnight as it turns in to sleep before the next day at school. I love being on the course, I love the new challenges each venue brings to the table, and I love the friendships I’ve made along the way.
Like I said earlier, I started this to make positive changes, which I did. I am more confident in my ability to continue my path to greatness than I ever was. I have acquired the tools to be a better person, a healthier person, and one that everybody can be proud of; but, that can only happen if they’re still there with me.
Racing will still be racing without me, but what will MY family be without me?
I hate being an adult; responsibility is a pain in the ass. I do challenge you, whoever you are, to look inside yourself and find out what you’re willing to sacrifice for your addiction. It doesn’t have to be racing, it could be anything; drinking, gambling, anything. What are you willing to lose? Where will you be when the dust settles? And, who will be willing to help you pick up the pieces? Take a look from the outside too, what do you see? Would you change something about yourself? You can either take a minute to make adjustments now, or spend a lifetime wishing you would have…