North Seoul from atop of Namsan Tower
Of the all the places I’ve lived, Korea has provided me with greatest opportunity to learn about a different culture. I was the minority this time and the one speaking a foreign language. I’ve lived in Kuwait a few years back but I was restricted mostly to a military base, only able to leave the installation to conduct missions and sneak away to go swim at the Kuwait Naval Base. I had little interaction with the local population, besides the few Kuwaitis driving their fancy cars 100+ mph on the highways.
A portal to another dimension
Additionally, Seoul was the coldest place I’ve lived, with West Point, NY a close second. Although Colorado Springs tops them both now with negative digits. Probably the nicest apartment that I’ve had was in Seoul, Korea, living in a thirty story high rise with a Han River view and four bedrooms. One regret was I never was able to get my dog Rex to come join me, since I know he would have loved it there…all the Kimchee he could eat. But don’t worry we have rejoined and I can’t get enough of his grunts and whining for food scraps.
Do the T-Rex…dunnaduna
Besides turning Korean, I also had a lot of other stuff going on. Most of you don’t know but I was dealing with a divorce. I was told that my name was not Brad or Angelina, so I will not bore you with the details. Now I am happy to say it has been finalized…wheat grass shots for everyone!
Don’t forget about the waffles and ice cream!
If you thought that wasn’t enough, I also experienced some more life changing events.
Free fruits and Veggies!
Around February my boss called me into his office. He said his boss, the department head, wanted to see me after work. So when I showed up, he looked all stern and serious. I had been thinking all day, all the things that he could be calling me into his office for and which story I was going to give him. He handed me a piece of paper and said read it. After I read it, I was a little shocked and did not know how to feel. The letter was from the head general at human resources command thanking me for my service and letting me know that due to the Army downsizing, I had been chosen among other Army captains for early termination from military service. We had a conversation about future goals, while I tried my best to hold in the tears. I was planning to leave the military but not this soon. I had another three years in me.
Go out with a bang or five!
Nevertheless, I kept my head up and did my job until it was time to leave Korea for Colorado Springs. Outside of my job and triathlon training and racing, I also spent some time with some friends on the weekends, visiting new restaurants and seeing new movie releases. I also volunteered on the weekends at an animal rescue in Itaewon next to base. The best part of Korea was the friends I made. This includes the entire Seoul Triathlon team, Tim, Danielle, Jessica, Brian, Younghwan Oh, Yeojin, Lee, Aaron and the Itaewon Animal Rescue volunteers.
My Seoul Family
Now fast forward to the present. My sole focus right now is education and sports training. I am attending Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. Knocking out some prerequisites so I can apply for a graduate program in a couple of years. I have my sights set on Columbia University, in the field of nutrition and exercise physiology. It’s interesting how my choice of study continues to change. When I was in high school, I wanted to be an aerospace engineer. In college I was going to go to medical school. Five years into the Army I turned to optometry school.
Damn, we look good!
With as much as I had going on, it was not my life’s events that brought me the most joy in 2016, it was the marriage between two of my best friends, Nicholas Chase and Karen Anthony. I am ecstatic and blessed to be have watched their relationship grown since their first couple of dates to husband and wife.
Congrats Nick and Karen = Niren or Karick!
I am no longer on the Elite US Military Endurance Sports Triathlon Team, although I am honored to still be a part of the organization as a club member. I am currently training with Pikes Peak Athletics’ Master Swim team at the US Olympic Training Center. This has been a blessing to be able to train with others who share a passion for efficient and fast swimming. Furthermore, I applied to be a part of the Major League Triathlon Series and The Escape Triathlon Series. I did not make the cut this year for MLT; however, I count on being a part of the organization in future years. I did make the cut for The Escape Triathlon Series.
Good Relationships!
I still enjoy my relationships with Sable Water Optics and Vasa who have supported me since I started racing professionally. Going forward, I am excited to work with new and old companies who share a commitment to athletic excellence and a desire to help others. I am still coached by Tim Crowley and mentored and managed by Louis Tharp. My first races of the year was in Austin, Texas at the AXP Austin Half Marathon, and first triathlon was in Sarasota at the ITU Sarasota CAMTRI Sprint Triathlon.
Cheers to 2017!
I am a true believer of eating and promoting a plant-based diet for maximum nutrition, performance and recovery. Furthermore, I encourage the pursuit of living life and searching and holding onto quality relationships—be true to yourself and live life with others. Revel in the journey, not just in the destinations.
And may your day be great!
