I need help making a big decision (Page 4)

If it were me, at 27, I would get serious about finding a job/career that I was passionate about. Having some money in the bank is a nice cushion that you can use to go get some more education or skills or just wait for the right opportunity to come along. Maybe go do it in a new city to satisfy some of the itch to travel.

And sure, buy a new tribike and train the house down while you're at it.

Good job, BTW, on being debt free. Take steps to make sure you stay that way.

I voted for IM Austrailia.  It counts as traveling, so why not kill 2 birds with one stone if you love the IM?? 

I agree with Zenith 65 I am 45 and having a blast at Tri's but regret not travelling more seeing the world etc when i was younger ( yes 27 is young) also congrats on the Im finish rockin time , I only wish I could think  of finishing that fast  when I get there. Lots of time to train and race later. my 2c

Or... do IMOZ in Port Macquarie in Apr with me... its a much bigger "event (1'400 vs 800 competitors, with more history and "buzz")

Come over here at the end of the Northern Hemisphere summer just as we are warming up for Summer. Live in either Sydney or Melbourne, join one of the local Tri squads and get to meet some friends. Get a cheap car (there's places in Sydney that will gve a buyback guarantee on an old banger) and some even cheaper flights and do the tourist thing while mixing in training.

I've lived here (Sydney) for three years and have to be honest and say that there's quite a short list of the great tourist sites and while I hear other posters on only scratching the surface in their 28days that's because most of the joy of Australia is as a "lifestyle" destination made great by the weather and the geography rather than as a tourist thing, like the UK for example where there's hundred of "old" things to go look at.

There are some things that you have to do (there's also some handy warm-up half irons that oyu could fit around this...):-
- Uluru / Ayer's Rock (long weekend trip)
- Great Barrier Reef and Far North Queensland (maybe two weeks?)
- Byron Bay (a week?)
- Melbourne (three days?)
- Great Ocean Road (3-5days)
- Perth and South through wine country (a week)
- Learn to surf weekend (weekend surprisingly!)
- Adelaide and wine country (long weekend)
- Blue Mountains (long weekend)
- Sydney (about a week, but if you live there just do the bits over time)
- New Zealand if you want a longer trip (2-4 weeks?)

More fun, do some of the classic Australian things:-
- Go swimming on Bondi, or even better do the Bondi to Bronte ocean swim
- Race the Noosa Triathlon (world's second largest)
- Run the Bondi clifftop path
- Get breakfast in a cafe on the beach
- Have lunch in Balmoral Bather's Pavillion
- Go kayaking on the harbour
- Have great Italian and the world's best coffee in Melbourne
- Uncover some unheard of designer who's the next superstar at Paddington Markets
- Bushwalking in the Blue Mountains
- Run the "Six Foot Track" (50km trail run)

Happy to post more here or PM me if you want.

Do some traveling!  While your traveling though, do more than just sight seeing. Ponder what you want to do for the rest of your life. Find purpose and direction. I believe that is the key to reaching your full potential.

 

Also, as others have said, do what you can to keep your fitness. Swim/Bike/Run whenever you can. Perhaps just not as intense.

 

 

Edit: Now I'm thinking I should sell my house and go with you!  

Edited by Rencor 2007-04-26 6:36 AM

Take it from someone twice your age, TRAVEL while you can. You have your whole life to compete. You might even set aside half the cost of the bike you want so you'll have a good start to obtain that when you get back.

Drop us a line when you get a chance. Postcards optional.

For me that would be a no brainer: travel!

This isn't even debatable. Travel!

My choice was "other." I guess I'm getting old and financially conservative, but I would save most of the money (you can buy some tri stuff if you'd like) and look for another job. Retire early, then travel.

I know this thread has probably gone on too long already, but I've got to chime in on this sentiment.

This was my parents' plan, but life had other things in mind. My parents worked very hard to build up a sizeable nest egg to enjoy in their retirement and travel. They kept working, lived frugally and waited patiently to enjoy the Good Life in their Golden Years. Then my Mom developed breast/brain cancer and three years later passed away. Just a few short years later, my Dad was also diagnosed with cancer (lymphoma) and passed away. They were not old-- 64 and 72, respectively, and seemed much younger.

The very important lesson I learned: Do not postpone the things you want to do. You do not know what life holds for you.

That doesn't mean you should live recklessly but you should take the time and spend the money to do the things you really want along the way. Good luck in your decision and HAVE FUN.

I would absolutely travel...when else do you think you might have the chance to travel freely for 1/2-1 year???  you have no obligations from what I can tell....maybe you could get a nice hybrid bike and do bike tours on your travels.  GO NOW!!!  I am very green with envy of your opportunity!

As an owner of an '07 B2, I'll throw in the "Buy the B2" vote as well and travel with the rest!

TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL!!!

I'm 28 and a year and a half ago I took 6 mo. and did Austraila, New Zealand and Fiji (on half the money you have) - Once in a lifetime opportunity - do it while you can. I met a Triathlete who was traveling with her bike and was training with local groups as she traveled - a great way to meet the natives and keep in shape.

You wanna talk specifics feel free to send me an email - I got lots of suggestions!

Good luck with whatever you decide!