I’ve been asked a lot why I decided to sign up for
long-course triathlon (especially for my first race!) and a big part of that is
the people. Of course there are other “minor” things like… wanting to challenge
myself, being in THE best shape of my life, and having the satisfaction of
accomplishing a huge personal goal. I couldn’t have made it through 5 months of
training and the actual race itself without moral support (and GU). I can’t
begin to express how grateful I am to have so much love, encouragement,
training tips, etc etc from such wonderful people. But for now at least… thank
you family, thank you friends, thank you coaches & trainers, thank you
spectators, and thank you fellow athletes & training buddies.
Today, as I was enjoying my first morning off in a while and
taking time to reflect, came to the realization that many others have come to…
the reason to continue to race, train and to keep signing up and showing up. It’s
not just about how well you do in a race (although important), it’s about overall
health, about commitment to personal growth, about being part of a COMMUNITY of
people who value the same lifestyle. I feel that after doing this race, I’m beginning
to truly understand what it’s all about.
As cheesy as this is, the past 6 months of training,
supporting and racing have been the most fulfilling and gratifying months I’ve probably
ever had in my life. I mean it! Mentally, physically and emotionally satisfaction… all bundled up in just one race. Another
question I’ve been asked a lot is “will I sign up for another race or do this
again?”. It’s not really an easy yes or no answer for me. Actually… let me
rephrase that… it’s not an easy YES answer. YES means committing more time,
committing my mind and body to more goals, making lifestyle changes to keep
myself in the shape I need to be in for what I want to accomplish. Which is
still TBD, btw. Ultimately, the answer to that is: I want to accomplish
everything that I possibly can. I don’t know what that means yet or what my
limit is or if I even have a limit, but I will never know unless I try to find
it.
So… my answer is YES.
But it’s not a light-hearted yes, because I’ve carefully
considered all of the aforementioned commitments and know that by saying yes, I’m
accepting responsibility to keep myself disciplined, to be held accountable, to
keep signing up and showing up even when I hate every second of it. I
understand this is no small undertaking, and as I progress it will even less
small, but I also know without a single shred of doubt in mind that I want
this. “This” meaning the feeling of accomplishing a great goal and working hard
and honestly for it, the feeling of surprising even yourself of what you can
accomplish and looking at how far you’ve made it, the feeling of having great relationships
with people… with a community… that want all of the same things you do
and knowing we’re all here to help each other.
At this point I’m not exactly sure where I’m headed (aside
from a full marathon in November. Ha!), I just know the general direction I want
to go and WILL go with an open heart, open mind and open arms… welcoming more
challenges, relationships and self-discoveries.
So I, Erica, take thee [insert race], to be my lifestyle, and
before God and these Facebook witnesses and blog followers, I promise to be a
faithful and true trainer/ee give it
my best. I will love you AND hate you, take comfort AND soreness, in sickness
and in health, in wealth and poverty (unless I find some sponsors), 'til
death do us part I say so and will forever do my best to pay it forward.
"Triathlon doesn't build character. It reveals it."-
Unbekannt
See y’all out there. Much love and thanks,
-E
