Great race today. I watched it from just about the beginning until the end. Being that I have no life these days, I scheduled all my clients for the morning so I could catch the race on Universal Sports. All I can say is that I'm in awe.
I've been doing a ton of self reflection since my last relationship fizzled, and I've come to the glaring reality that I don't know me. Through training and working hard toward my goals this season, I've developed into more of the person I want to be. I've finally been able to look myself in the mirror and not lie to myself; not make excuses about why this or that happened or didn't happen. Triathlon has given me the gift of finding out more about myself and has given me the motivation to become a better person.
In watching the pro men and women race today, I've found a great commonality in them all. There is a humility and a self awareness that you don't find everywhere in life. I think a few people have it, but almost every true endurance athlete has at least touched it at some point.
Suffereing on the course is a great metaphor for life. How we deal with adversity tells us a great deal about our character and who we are. There are no short cuts on the course, and there are no short cuts in life. I feel sorry for the ones that take short cuts. Short cuts stunt our growth. It's hard to be true to yourself all the time, but as I've learned it's a neccessity.
Ok, done with all the philisophical stuff. The race was amazing from start to finish. Crowie had a great performance, and I certainly respect everything about it, but I'm stunned by Chris Lieto. Watching him fall apart on the run last year was heartbreaking. Turning it on this year and sticking to the plan really got him my respect. Not only did he race hard, but it seems he became a runner. He worked his ass off with some of the best runners in the world (Ryan Hall anyone???) and left it out there. He got beaten by a better guy today, but no one can say that he wasn't completely honest with himself. I really can't say enough about that performance, just super impressive.
There were tons of great perfomances: Chrissie Wellington, Any Potts, Macca, Miranda Carfrae, and the list goes on. I can't believe I watched the whole thing and was excited the whole time.
It was a great race and I didn't mind not training at all today to watch it! Tomorrow I'm volunteering at a local sprint tri down the street from my house. Should be a good opportunity to help motivate people in the sport I've come to love so much.
This is our new blog detailing our daily adventures, mountain bike racing, endurance sports, and maybe even some cooking (that's Anne's domain!). We will share our experiences with life, training, and most importantly, being a team-both in marriage and in our sport.
I couldn't agree with you more - both on the philosophical side of things and on the great performances yesterday. I took a break to go swim but watched pretty much all of it and came away with complete respect for all of those athletes, especially the guy who didn't make the swim cut off by 8 seconds ( a new hip, shoulder, and a heart transplant???).
ReplyDeleteI think you hit the nail on the head. Triathlon puts you right up front and center with your soul. You'd better like the view, or be willing to do something about it if you don't.
Thanks Ace!
ReplyDelete"You'd better like the view, or be willing to do something about it if you don't."
That is the best way I could imagine to put it. There's no choice but to change your attitude if you're going to stay with it.
Thanks for the excellent comment!