JOY IN THE JOURNEY...COMPLETING A TRIATHLON: A FIRST-TIMERS PERSPECTIVE

Oh my, I did it! I actually completed a triathlon, can this be? Let me pinch myself again, am I dreaming? A week later, I looked at the photos, the medal that reads, “The woman who starts the journey is not the same woman who finishes it…” truer words were never spoken. Melanie, my coach was right when she told me from the beginning that this would be for me…and it isn’t a dream, it is real, I did complete it! YES! I am still relishing the thought and looking forward to the continued journey. The journey began some two years ago when I decided to start to get more physical fitness into my daily routine and I started to swim. How to do that on a regular basis with consistency and structure with a busy lifestyle that includes regular business travel and long hours? I joined a Masters Swim class and quite by chance, I have been privileged to have a coach who is amazing. Not only is he a well-known Ironman and athlete, Don Fink is a dedicated and focused coach to many athletes that are real people, with jobs, kids, and balancing acts in the real world. Most are in the mid 30’s and 40’s and older than that, many triathlon athletes. But he remains consistent and clear in his “one percent rule,” incrementally, one percent improvements each time, modeling the commitment, and caring about all those that he coaches. I was lucky to be part of this seasoned group training.

And so, I swam, and I asked Don’s wife, Melanie, another Ironman athlete and coach to help me with strength training to allow my swimming to improve. She did and a year later, I felt that I was not being as consistent as I wanted, and so I asked her for “another dose.” Not only did she respond, she wrote:

“Here is a thought, just an idea. Hear me out before you say, “NO.” There is a short sprint distance triathlon on Sept 14th. I would like to suggest that you sign up for that race and I coach you from now until the race. Also, I would do the race with you…side by side the whole way. I think this will accomplish a few things…1) to bring some focus to attaining a healthy lifestyle 2) keep you honest with your weight training and aerobic exercise (even when you travel—I have lots of fun workouts to do while in a hotel) and 3) accomplish a goal that you will be so excited about and provide a huge sense of athletic and personal accomplishment.”

A very wise and perceptive woman. She was absolutely right on and all that she wrote is true! “Being there for another person” is the greatest gift one can give to another human being. My friend Pat taught me that several years ago. In the last two weeks of her life prior to her dying of cancer, I was honored to be at here side during that time. I didn’t know that she was dying, nor did I know at the time that she would teach me a profound lesson about “being there for another person.” Melanie, my triathlon coach convinced me to “try the triathlon,” with conviction and positive focus she convinced me, someone who never ran a race before to take this incredible journey…she believed in me and had insight into “knowing that I could and would complete it!”

I followed the schedules, worked out daily and pushed myself to discipline myself in this ongoing process, one day at a time. And in the race, I can’t stop thinking about Melanie right by my side, just for me! She unselfishly was there for me to “be there” not in a way that pushed me to run faster or make better time, but to finish and experience the thrill of completion. As an Ironman triathlete and amazing coach, she too struggles with a full time job, daily workouts, early morning swim classes at 5:30 am, and models achievement in all of these! She made me laugh a lot at myself and enjoy the journey of self-discovery. I learned the greatest lessons about my heart…it’s rate, it’s strength, it’s human age, it’s compassion, and it’s integration with the mind and body. It is an amazing muscle that just got stronger in so many ways.

My goodness, Melanie took me on a High School running track…which way do I run? Which lane do I go? I smiled at the experience as she insisted that I stay in my Zone 2 place, not run faster or harder to achieve the distance at a cost, but in a way that strengthened the heart muscles and built ongoing sustainability! Self Compassion can have a ripple effect in the growth of inner fitness, and this was all part of that journey of self discovery.

Swimming with a wetsuit…yikes, now that is an experience! It must be what it feels like when a snake sheds its skin or a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. The process of taking it off and on, an experience unto itself. The anxiety of swimming in it…actually which turned into a security blanket of warmth and floatation.

The disappointment of cancelling the swimming in the triathlon was a real concern for that is what got me started in the first place, and the wetsuit practice…putting it on, swimming in it, taking it off…but you know what, it didn’t matter, because whatever was meant to be, I went with the flow…and the running that now I had to do two segments of, was a bigger test of my managing my anxiety!

Taking a risk, assessing the importance to you, and then leaving the dock to set sail and go off unto a sea of uncertainty. The metaphor for life…the risk of not risking …not acceptable to me anymore especially as I coach others. Looking at the courage to take the risk and follow our dreams in the face of potential failure. The word courage, I’ve learned, is related to the French concur which means heart. In Chinese, the word for courage also means to dare. To follow your heart, your intuition, to trust and act, to expand internally.

“Remember within the rose at all time is full potential. It is constantly in the process of change and growth as it comes into its own. When we give it water, sun and nourishment it blossoms fully. Like this flower, you are a natural unfolding athlete. Nurture yourself with encouragement and positive affirmations avoiding the negative self-talk that kills the spirit. You have all that you need within you now, to become all that you wish. Simply notice that and affirm it to be so. “

From Working Out, Working Within, the Tao of Inner fitness through Sports and Exercise, by Jerry Lynch and Chungliang Al Huang.

The attainment of the goal was not the objective, it was the journey…the elation I am currently experiencing in other parts of my life from setting sail on that journey…repeated months of joy in myself and my relation with others in this similar space, training at higher levels, getting into great shape, eating well, resting and paying attention to how I feel and just overall, feeling terrific. What a benefit to so many aspects of life, so I continue…with excitement and joy in the journey. The goal is the lantern that illuminates the way and keeps me involved with health and wellness, a process relevant to my spiritual growth in all aspects in life.

The Triathlon process teaches balance…the balance ot three different sports and the discipline to learn things about yourself in all three. Balance in life is a deeply rewarding and delicious food for the soul. It makes you feel aligned with your spirit, your higher, healthier, happier self.

She jumped in beside me…and she said, “you CAN do it! You are a triathlete! Yes, you are!” Through her encouragement and coaching, she showed me in myself that personal power and growth of one’s spirit…I am a different person because of it…

And I continue the journey, a metaphor to the life journey that we are each on, and I apply the lessons of coaching and believing in yourself with other’s help to that process! I look forward to the “next opportunity” and the joy in the journey of preparation, the thrill of pushing the parameters of one’s own messages.