Humility & Perseverance can take you EVERYWHERE!
HUMBLE. That usually sums up how I often feel about racing. I would like to say that I am a super tough, no holds bar, fight to the death type of racer but I know too much, and the many years of recovering from spinal injuries have made me different. I only began racing multisport 4 years ago, so still have so much to learn from many who have been doing this for many times longer and often those younger than I.
[Written in preparation for Duathlon Nationals]
Just when you think you are training well or feeling good about your health or nutrition, you meet someone who inspires you to dig deeper, work harder and inspire you to be more. No excuses here. I haven’t put my training at the top of my priority list this year. I chose to further my education, write a book and more to the equation. Due to that, my times are down, but my heart isn’t.
I am grateful every day I walk out my door without pain. I am grateful to have the opportunity to live and exercise in a city with clean air, beautiful trails (even downtown) and vibrant healthy individuals that surround me. Life is good.
So I enter this racing weekend humble, grateful and with a sense of play. The one thing that I need more of in my life is play time. We work hard, take care of our children, study for classes, help clients, but sometimes we forget to play. Every time I get on my bike I need to realize what a gift it is to get out there and move through my beautiful city, fully present; no music, no internet, texting or calls – just me and a few pieces of metal between myself and the rubber on the road. Bliss. But this time of year, too often, I get caught up in the moment and ride because I “have to” train instead of “get to.” Something I teach my clients daily.
This weekend, I am going to enjoy myself. I am going to PLAY with hundreds other athletes from around the US, running in the park and on my bike, on an island in St. Paul, MN. I GET to run with the fastest multisport women in the country, and ride like there is no tomorrow, on a closed course (rare to train or race on these days.)
Now, this is where humility comes in. Last year, I was the least fast (sounds better like that right?) woman in my starting wave, for the first run. I picked up speed on the bike and finished faster than many on the second run to move up to 20th in my age group. This put me in a position to receive a roll down spot for the age group World championship Team USA, for the second year in a row. The top 18 qualify for Worlds automatically, with roll down spots offered to the top 25 if some choose not to attend and use theirs.
I have to be honest with you. I am like anyone else. As you might imagine, I have heard some little voices in my head, in the past several weeks, that remind me about my slower run last year and not wanting to put myself out there again, but not so much so that it will hold me back. I have hopes and fears like the rest. However, it is how you let them affect you, and the way we allow them to manifest in our lives, that matters most.
I am grateful every day I walk out my door without pain. I am grateful to have the opportunity to live and exercise in a city with clean air, beautiful trails (even downtown) and vibrant healthy individuals that surround me. Life is good.
So I enter this racing weekend humble, grateful and with a sense of play. The one thing that I need more of in my life is play time. We work hard, take care of our children, study for classes, help clients, but sometimes we forget to play. Every time I get on my bike I need to realize what a gift it is to get out there and move through my beautiful city, fully present; no music, no internet, texting or calls – just me and a few pieces of metal between myself and the rubber on the road. Bliss. But this time of year, too often, I get caught up in the moment and ride because I “have to” train instead of “get to.” Something I teach my clients daily.
This weekend, I am going to enjoy myself. I am going to PLAY with hundreds other athletes from around the US, running in the park and on my bike, on an island in St. Paul, MN. I GET to run with the fastest multisport women in the country, and ride like there is no tomorrow, on a closed course (rare to train or race on these days.)
Now, this is where humility comes in. Last year, I was the least fast (sounds better like that right?) woman in my starting wave, for the first run. I picked up speed on the bike and finished faster than many on the second run to move up to 20th in my age group. This put me in a position to receive a roll down spot for the age group World championship Team USA, for the second year in a row. The top 18 qualify for Worlds automatically, with roll down spots offered to the top 25 if some choose not to attend and use theirs.
I have to be honest with you. I am like anyone else. As you might imagine, I have heard some little voices in my head, in the past several weeks, that remind me about my slower run last year and not wanting to put myself out there again, but not so much so that it will hold me back. I have hopes and fears like the rest. However, it is how you let them affect you, and the way we allow them to manifest in our lives, that matters most.
I CHOOSE to acknowledge that only the fastest show up for this race. I choose to acknowledge that I belong here and GET to experience this opportunity just like all others, and for that I am grateful. Because of last year, not in spite of it, I WILL run, bike, and run to the best of my ability. Challenging not only my physical, but mental body as well.
As with most things, racing is mental. You need the physical capabilities to move the distance quickly, but you must overcome the mental distractions that arise along the way. For me those usually manifest when my lungs or body complain. I am recovering from athletic induced asthma, allergies, and a shoulder indecent from last fall. But I am alive, happy, healthy and able to enjoy my life. No complaints. So I need to make sure that when, not if, challenging thoughts arise, I quiet them and move forward -in spite of them.
I CHOOSE to slow down, BREATHE, and remember my intentions, who I am and where I am headed. I choose to BELIEVE that I was given this wonderful opportunity to continue my healthly aspirations, and that I can share it in many ways. I choose to BECOME the mother, athlete, coach, mentor and woman that I know I can be. All with my head held high at what I CAN do, not what I am unable to, in order to inspire others to live their best lives also.
So, you have a choice.
As with most things, racing is mental. You need the physical capabilities to move the distance quickly, but you must overcome the mental distractions that arise along the way. For me those usually manifest when my lungs or body complain. I am recovering from athletic induced asthma, allergies, and a shoulder indecent from last fall. But I am alive, happy, healthy and able to enjoy my life. No complaints. So I need to make sure that when, not if, challenging thoughts arise, I quiet them and move forward -in spite of them.
I CHOOSE to slow down, BREATHE, and remember my intentions, who I am and where I am headed. I choose to BELIEVE that I was given this wonderful opportunity to continue my healthly aspirations, and that I can share it in many ways. I choose to BECOME the mother, athlete, coach, mentor and woman that I know I can be. All with my head held high at what I CAN do, not what I am unable to, in order to inspire others to live their best lives also.
So, you have a choice.
Do you choose to dwell on the past, let it consume your waking thoughts, sleeping dreams and affect you both mentally and physically each day? OR, do you choose life, new opportunity, joy, happiness, and LET GO of those things that are keeping us from moving forward? I CHOOSE LIFE! How about you?
Share in the comments below what you are inspired to do and how you are inspired to live!
To read my race report for 2015 Duathlon Nationals, and see how the race went – CLICK HERE! Many details, but always a few gems hidden within.
All my best, Mary
Have questions or comments about this post or want more information on coaching with Mary? Send her a message!
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