How I Got Through

As you know I have been training for the Interlochen Triathlon. The training was very easy in the beginning but as the race gets closer the training gets more demanding.  Not only is it almost everyday but the distances are longer. Just like you, I have to endure through the workout and the weather if I want to get my desired results. The most challenging so far has been the swimming. I can swim but I had to learn to be an efficient swimmer. There's more to swimming than you think.

As you may also know I am very competitive, with myself and with others. For this triathlon I originally wanted to get it done in less than two hours. Since training I have found that I may be faster so I have recently changed my goal to one hour and 40 minutes.

I came to a crossroads in my training this week. I was to go for a 12 minute swim (outdoors of course), and a 10 mile bike ride. It was a very cold, windy morning and I hadn't slept well the night before. I was exhausted and would have rather slept in the car then get my wetsuit on and hit the icy waves. I sat in the car and thought, "who would know if I didn't train today? Who would care?"

The waves were beautiful and the sun was shining bright, but it was so warm in the car. The white caps were captivating, but my drivers seat was cozy. My bike was beckoning me from the back seat, but I am so tired if I could only take a nap. Then almost instantaneously I went to race day in my mind. It was windy that day and the waves were just as captivating. Immediatley I thought, "I don't want to regret this day because I missed a training day to take a nap."

I know that there are people out there who are not training for this race they just want to "finish." Then there are those who want to do more than just finish. I bet you know which I am. We are not placed here to just get by and just finish this life. We are meant to do great things. If we look at the future outcome of our present actions I would venture a guess to think that we would all make different choices.

That day was beautiful, the sun shining, the white caps beautiful, and water? Just right!