The Post Shorty Era
It has been a month since the end of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series and the official end of Andrew Short’s competitive career. Shorty’s retirement was actually a long time coming, not a haphazard decision forced upon him by any means. Like everything Andrew has done since I have met him, it was planned out well in advance, every if’s and’s or but’s laid to rest long ago. He seemingly has no regrets about concluding not only his racing, but also the lifestyle that engulfs you as a professional athlete. At least in my presence, he has only discussed gratitude for the long career he enjoyed and excitement for what the future may bring. Understandably, the one thing that I have repeatedly heard him say is that he will miss is the friendships developed within the traveling circus that racing really is.
I have received countless inquiries in the past week from curious clients and others, wondering what Andrew Short is up to, quickly followed by curiosity about what I’m doing in the post Shorty era. This post is my personal answer to such questions.
Ironically both Shorty and I have probably put more hours on dirt bikes in the past month than we did while he was actively racing. Two weeks of trail riding in Colorado provided a fitting cap to the season and upped the stoke for Andrew, previewing the freedom he now has to go on such adventures. Road tripping through his home state, with pit stops to visit his family and revisit areas he rode as a kid added to the feeling of content finality. Although both of our riding itineraries were shortened by minor mishaps, it was a glorious two weeks.
We are home now in Texas, and we still communicate on a regular basis. I have said this before; it is very difficult for me to train somebody at the highest levels without a strong personal connection. I have been told repeatedly about the pitfalls of becoming personally involved with athletes, but I don’t feel like I could train somebody effectively any other way. In the end, what is the most valuable thing to me is the lasting relationships this approach has afforded me. Andrew Short and his family are no longer clients of mine, but they certainly are close friends, which is no different than it was when they signed my checks. I don’t see that ever changing.
Andrew’s wife Jacki has opened a store in their hometown of Smithville called E.H. Mercantile, and last night she hosted a preopening event. Both me and Andrew were in charge of our respective children, something I feel both of us will be doing a lot more of, and happily so. Andrew starts a new position next week, and I’m sure he’s looking forward to that. I’m still working with Phil Nicoletti on a part-time basis and look forward to visiting him on the East Coast soon, and I’m continuing with clients through my online service and Racer X Virtual Trainer. I am increasing my work as an “adventure correspondent” and product review writer for Dirt Rider magazine, Upshift Online and Gear Institute. I will also continue coaching, instructing and guiding rock climbing.
So life goes on. I will admit there was some fear of what the post Shorty era would bring. Although not everything is settled completely, the fear is subsiding and I hope the same for Andrew. I can clearly remember not too long ago when I would see an athlete put down his or her jet set life, and become, for lack of a better term, a normal person. I actually remember feeling sorry for them, imagining their complete boredom with the slow pace of family life. I can only speak for myself, and I’m not going to lie. It does feel slower and it’s strange not leaving every week, amped to pursue a competitive goal. I pondered these things while at Jacki’s event, surrounded by others who were obviously happy to just exist then and there. And…I was content. Yes, it is slower, but that affords the ability to enjoy the moment, in the moment.
Although I am not retired, I do have the feeling of closing a book, and putting it on the shelf as a forever keepsake. Here’s to starting the next book and appreciating more moments as they happen, instead of hurtling through them, only to relish them in the past tense.