It is Friday (woot) so any number of things could have made me happy today, such as the fact that I did not have to be in until 10 o'clock this morning and I still was able to get out early, but what really made my day was the big announcement made by Challenge Family today. If I was standing when I read the news I definitely would have jumped for joy! I am so glad to hear that Challenge Family is making an effort to support the role professionals in the sport of triathlon.

It is hard to believe that just four weeks ago I was in Kona, celebrating the successful completion of my first Ironman. It took me nearly a week to recover physically; I have never been so sore after a race in my life. The soreness hit immediately too, even having the finisher’s medal around my neck and banging against my abdomen was painful

I have been a member of many teams in my life. I ran on the track and cross country teams in high school and college. Now, as a senior medical student, I am a part of the team of healthcare professionals that cares for patients in the hospital and outpatient clinic. I have had far more success in achieving my goals and favorable outcomes as a member of a team than by myself. I graduated from high school with more team state titles than individual. And in medicine it would be incredibly difficult to deliver the best possible care to a patient without a team of doctors, nurses, medical assistants, social workers, and therapists. A team creates synergy, with results that are far superior to what an individual could produce on their own.