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Chrissie's Sabbatical...

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 02:00

ED. On Monday, Chrissie Wellington announced that she was not going to do any ironman racing in 2012. Bummer! MTN rarely posts features on pro athletes, other than on Minnesota's own DKT and Devon Palmer, that is. We couldn't pass up this story, though, because we love Chrissie to pieces AND she is Lois Nilsen's BFF (photo R) and has hung out with Sean Cooley (photo L).

By Liz Hichens (for triathlon.competitor.com)

On Monday, Jan. 16 Chrissie Wellington sent shockwaves throughout the triathlon world with the announcement that she would be taking a year away from Ironman racing. The four-time Ironman world champion posted the news on her blog, Chrissiewellington.org, and expressed a desire to pursue other opportunities. Wellington took time to chat with us about those opportunities, how she came to the decision and what the future will hold.

Triathlete.com: Walking away from Ironman for this year must have been a big decision. How did you come to this decision?

Wellington: Making the decision to have a sabbatical was reminiscent of the time in 2006 when I was deliberating whether or not to leave my job working for the government to embark on an unknown path as a professional triathlete. Although having such choices is a blessing, making these decisions is never easy. But now, as then, I simply try to follow my gut instinct and do what I feel is right deep in my heart. But yes, you