 |
| Me and Mr. Burl before the Time Trial - yes, he still had stitches in his lip from last weekend! |
Following the TT, another participant commented that I should consider joining a cycling team versus triathlon. It was a fantastic compliment, but I responded that I was more fit and healthy because of the three disciplines. I benefit mentally and physically by splitting my energy among three sports.
The following day, I was struggling through the end of a tough run in humid 90-degree conditions. Only fifty minutes, the workout LOOKED rather tame on paper, but after about thirty-five minutes of actually running, I was suppressing the urge to faint and/or throw up. Odds were good for either outcome. Somewhere in that last set of intervals I asked myself again, "Really, why do I do this? Why do I run?"
As the oxygen flow returned to my brain during the cool down, I remembered why. Simple self-achievement - accomplishing goals I never thought possible, running 'fast' being chief among them. And I thought about how each triathlon discipline teaches something valuable, for that self-achievement or just getting by in life. Here's what I came up with:
Swimming teaches the importance of good technique, balance and focus.
Cycling teaches how to suffer, and how to stay in control inside your head when you really, really want out!
Running teaches sacrifice, and that it really doesn't hurt that much more to dig really deep.
Transitions teach the values of planning and simplicity.
And besides the sport itself, I am fortunate to have family, friends, teammates, clubmates and coaches that remind me daily of the importance of praise, gratitude and love. May your sport(s) of choice also be so generous with life lessons!
 |
| My brother-in-law and sister-in-law joining us for their very FIRST triathlon recently. So proud! |
