Milestones.

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This post is a milestone in many ways.

Firstly this is my 100^th blog post. When first I started this blog in January, I wanted to share with you my story about how it was like chasing my dreams and to be completely honest about it. I’m sure you could see that it wasn’t always easy, we all have our problems to overcome, but often it is the struggles that make the journey worth it.

I must thank you very much for your support and for the kind words of encouragement that you have left for me in the comments, by twitter or facebook. We all have days when we’re down and those little messages never fail to keep me going.

I do not know how this story is going to end, but I can promise you that I’ll keep going till I find out.

Next year’s going to be a big year and I hope to have you on board for this journey.

Secondly, I’ve just finished my 4^th Decathlon in Manchester over the weekend. Whilst score-wise I did get a PB (4105pts), I didn’t quite get the performances and scores that I targeted at the start of the season (Click here for full results, scroll to the bottom for the latest decathlon).

Somehow though I didn’t get what I wanted, I was really happy when I crossed the finish line of the 1500m.

A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.  – Bruce Lee

I was really happy because it was the first decathlon that I finally knew what I was doing and that I gave it everything with what I had.

Max wasn’t with me this time as he had to relocate his house over the weekend, nor were any of the other Loughborough decathletes (they were all competing somewhere else). They had supported me through every single decathlon previously, helping me settle the logistics of the event (food, accommodation, equipment and transport), coaching me, mentoring me and encouraging me when I needed it the most.

This time I was on my own, but I’ve knew exactly what I had to do and I did it.

I felt like over the past few years I’ve depended on them and they’ve helped me along my way, now finally I’m able spread my wings on my own and start flying.

In fact it became my turn to help and encourage a few of the other decathletes who were new to the sport and somehow that made me realise that I’ve become an actual decathlete.

I didn’t score a single event PB this time, but I walked away with an overall PB.

And though the numbers are still wanting, I feel that I know exactly what I need to do between now and the next season to get to where I want to be.

Which brings me to the third milestone; I’ve finished a proper training and competition season as a decathlete.

During my first year here in Loughborough, I was just trying to adapt to a foreign land and being away from home. I saw the water and realised how real it was right in front of me and how cold it could be. I never made that jump and I kinda regretted it.

Second year I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made the jump into the cold water. Did my first decathlon, realised and experienced how hard it really was, and how far a dream could be away from the reality. I nearly quit, but I stayed on and decided to keep on going.

This year, I got used to jumping in, the water doesn’t feel so cold anymore. It still hurts, but I know how to go about doing it. I attempted 4 decathlons this year and I managed to finish 3. Before this I thought I could be a good decathlete, now I know I can be. I know the steps I have to take to get me there and I’ve put myself at the best place I could be along with the best people I could be with, but I know it still won’t be easy.

How will the 2012 season turn out? I’m not sure, but that’s what keeps life interesting doesn’t it? I mean, anything can happen, so stay open to the possibilities.

I don’t need easy, I just need possible.

2012, I’ll be ready.