Yesterday, I was blessed to complete an in-door Tri 10 minute swim, 20 minute bike and 20 minute run with a group of wonderful athletes, coaches, and support staff. The experience taught me some valuable lessons.
I was reminded once again on how self-critical I can be. My internal judge and critic were working over time trying to negate my accomplishment. I am now growing in my awareness to take internal and external feedback in stride examining the truth of the matter from a subjective/objective perspective.
Could I have swam more efficiently? Yes, of course! However, I was able to use my survival skills, changing up my stroke, rolling, over, etc., to calm down gain control thereby avoiding drowning!! This will be extremely helpful when I tackle Lake Michigan and other open water bodies next season. Could I have biked harder and got more power wattage output per pedal stroke? Absolutely!! I did keep my RPM's between 90 and 100 for 95 percent of the ride. A future compu training class will help me gain speed, endurance, and power! Could I have sprinted and ran faster on each lap? Heck yes!!! However, I finished strong with energy to spare, engaging my core and "squeezing the quarter" will help my running form.
The biggest lesson I learned was about pain. Finding, the motivation for working through physical discomfort. A quote from "G.I. Jane" always comes to mind: "Pain is your friend, it tell you if you seriously injured and remind you to do the job and get the hell home!...But, you know the best apart pain...No Master Chief...It LETS YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT DEAD YET!!"
Is training hard" It sure is!! Is it painful? More I can care for it to be!! I am learning to tell the difference between being hurt and injured. If I'm hurting I can and will push through it! When I'm seriously injured I will seek medical assistance. I am coming to realize that pain is the crucible where the soul is forged.
This winter season is a painful one for me on many levels. It is easy for me to retreat into the silence of pain. My ability to force my heart, nerve, and sinew to serve their long after they are gone and hold on when there is nothing left in me except the will which says to them hold on; is what motivates me to fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run. How I move through this winter season, not running from or suppressing my pain but, rather embracing and befriending the difficult moments and grief memories will invite to stay connected to me as I swim, bike, and run into sustained recovery.
Will I ever "win" a race? Walter D Wintle provides me with the inspiration to undergird my motivation. He writes:
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world we find
Success being with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you're outclassed, you are:
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
Peace & Blessings on Your Journey
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