Type - A

Kim, Heidi and Jocelyn - Summer 2010! I'm not saying they are Type - A, I just needed a good picture to remind me - SUMMER WILL COME EVENTUALLY (or I will keel over and die).

There are times when I really feel I am trying to do it all, and frankly, it's too much sometimes!

Wikipedia Says:

Type A

The theory describes a Type A individual as ambitious, aggressive, business-like, controlling, highly competitive, impatient, preoccupied with his or her status, time-conscious, andtightly-wound. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving "workaholics" who multi-task, push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence.

In his 1996 book, Type A Behavior: Its Diagnosis and Treatment, Friedman suggests that Type A behavior is expressed in three major symptoms: free-floating hostility, which can be triggered by even minor incidents; time urgency and impatience, which causes irritation and exasperation; and a competitive drive, which causes stress and an achievement-driven mentality. The first of these symptoms is believed to be covert and therefore less observable, while the other two are more overt.

Because of these characteristics, Type A individuals are often described as "stress junkies" by individuals with Type B or other personality types. Many successful business and political leaders have Type A personalities.

I typically find that triathletes, like myself, are pretty type-A personalities. I don't necessarily agree with everything described above, but I definitely agree with some! We have a list, we like to check it off and when things are going right on that list, or we just can't seem to get enough done.. well, to be frank, we freak right out.

Although I know this sport lends itself well to this type of personality. Sometimes, between the my day job, the side career, the athletes calling, the workouts, the to-do list for Birthdays, the blog and everything else still required to keep my life going (laundry, groceries etc.) -it's a little.. well.. much.

Lately, I've been wondering just how much more I can take on, while still retaining some semblance of organization, time with my family and friends and sanity. The problem is, I like to be good at.. well, everything. I don't want to feel I'm "shorting" any of these aspects, especially my time with family and friends. However, I think by the very nature of all of these types of things, you can be good at some things, but only great at a limited few.

I've been spending some time thinking about what those few actually are and how that will shape the future of my life. I guess the blessing is that I have a full wonderful life with lots of things to keep me busy. The negative is that one can only stretch so far or be worked so thin! I'm not complaining, just thinking and trying to prioritize and get ready for what's to come. I believe in the fact that there is a plan for my life and if I keep doing what I love, and doing the best I can, that it will be revealed to me slowly and over time. I refuse to give up certain things that seem like they are on the right path for me, so in the mean time, I'll just have to become a really good juggler!! I have great family, great friends and spring is coming (I hope! So in just a few weeks we'll hopefully be riding outside - preferably not at NOLA 70.3 for the first time!).

Do you think most of us are Type-A personalities in the sport of triathlon? I'd love to hear so leave a comment.

In addition, if you would like to read a little about my first ever mention on Ironman.com just click HERE for the highlights of Ironman Cozumel 2010.