“This project is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself.” We’ve all heard that from someone at some point in our lives and understand the meaning. Ironman distance triathlon (140.3 miles; 2.4M swim, 112 M bike, 26.2M run) has many applications to life. I love the sense of accomplishment I feel upon completion but that’s really just the final fun end part. I’ve heard others say it, but the journey to the final race really is the most meaningful.
Life itself is not a sprint, but a marathon, or perhaps an ultra triathlon. Either way, I think you get the point. As in life, when training for an iron-distance races you have to start early, be consistent and keep going until you cross the finish line. Life is the same way. We all face challenges, decisions, and obstacles that we have to push through. We make decisions, hopefully do our best and things generally work out. We learn from our mistakes and grow. Sometimes we get training injuries from going too hard too soon or just by virtue of the activities underway. Life is the same. Our feelings get hurt, our pride is injured when things don’t go as planned, and sometimes we don’t get the job we’re more than qualified for and think is in the bag. In both cases, a positive attitude and enough grit to continue are required.
You find your people training for an Ironman. There is, of course, a gigantic tribe associated with Ironman racing and when you find them it’s great to know there are other folks out there as ‘crazy’ as you doing the same kind of stuff with the same challenges. For my most recent Ironman, I didn’t link up with my Ironman tribe during training but found a bit of them along the way. The bike shop guy was exciting to talk with as he was a triathlete and totally understood it all. He buoyed my spirit and kept me excited towards the end of my training. It was the same at the wet suit rental place-she understood my excitement and was happy to help, again my spirits were buoyed and I was more stoked to go to the event. And finally, I ran most of the marathon with a I met on the course. I pulled him for the first 22 miles or so and he pulled me through the last 6; neither of us would have finished as strong on our own. In our daily lives, it’s super important to find others that are doing some similar things in life and having some similar challenges. Kid raising, career building, house purchasing, or whatever it may be at your stage in life there are others nearby you that can lend a listening ear and perhaps share some useful insights based on their experiences-your spirits will be buoyed and you’ll be strengthened to continue on! As we find those people we garner strength from them and become part of a tribe. Seek your tribe(s) in Ironman and in life.
I am most inspired when I exercise. Especially when I exercise outdoors. And even more so when I’m in a serene and beautiful setting like the mountains (ie. trail running or mountain biking). I think there are many of us that feel this way and I’m grateful to have re-learned this about myself. I’m so recharged by outdoor physical activity and by attending events like triathlon races that I know I just have to keep doing those things. Everyone has times and places when they are more inspired than others. Our souls need inspiration to grow and find our happiness so seek those times out and make sure you’re getting some inspiration in your daily life. Then actually follow through on that inspiration because the more you do, the happier you’ll be. Don’t be afraid to try new things that weren’t necessarily the way you previously thought you should be doing things. Eve the great founding father Benjamin Franklin changed his mind on some things as he grew. There’s no shame in tweaking your theories, your philosophies, and your way of doing things. It’s called a growth mindset. If we lose it when we grow up (for some children it’s very natural to have a growth mindset) then our growth is going to be stymied. Find and apply inspiration in all aspects of your life.
Joy is often found within the struggle and if there isn’t joy there is benefit. In training and at the events there is definitely struggle involved with Ironman. If you don’t believe me and haven’t seen this iconic clip, you’ve got to watch and see what struck a chord with so many people and drew their interest to the sport: Julie Moss’ epic finish. The practice swim at my last triathlon was so cold that I absolutely did not want to go on. I went and got a hood (a ridiculous diving thing I had to settle with) and it still took courage for me to get in the water on start day. I’m not a strong swimmer and the idea of going at it at the World Championship caused me a bit of anxiety, but I did it and everything was fine (albeit a very slow time for me in that portion). My youngest boy is just entering the world of discovering the pleasure of company with the opposite sex which is going to take some serious parenting effort-I foresee a potential struggle here and there. We had another young one with serious depression and suicide challenges; we struggled to get him through high school and then to keep him with us. He’s grown and is doing much better now. Struggles are indeed real, they make us stronger all the time and that is why we’re on the earth to learn and grow. Physical struggles through workouts make us stronger and faster for race day. I love and thrive on physical struggles whether running, biking, climbing, or whatever the outdoor sport. I need a lot more practice at the life struggles. Struggles build our capacities and capabilities, ours is to determine how we can use those learned strengths for good.
What are the similarities you see between #trilife and everyday life? Think about it the next time you’re out there on the grind and you just may gain some patience or calmness regarding other challenges that you may be going through.
Impact Productions 