Inspiration. Motivation. Gogogo. Yahoo... There are many words we toss around in sport. Marketing slogans, brilliant North Face ads, silly unimportant blogs... Words are genius as they have the power to both build & destroy. Courage was the word of the year for me. I built my life around it for the 52 weeks leading into Timberman. Really quite impressive how 7 letters stuck together could have such a life changing impact. I took my love of quotes & North Face ads and transferred them here- the little blog that could. An outpouring of my personal life in a too-much-info filled world. Maybe I need more friends who will listen to me, maybe then I wouldn't feel important enough to write...but I started this blog simply because I hoped that my quest for courage would inspire someone to find a trace, at least, of that same courage in themselves. The courage to love, to live to the fullest, to tri. To TRI. Like the bumper sticker! Turns out, the person I inspired the most on this Yellow Bricks journey was myself.
Now that Timberman has come & past, many have asked what would happen next? Is the journey over? Do I log out of this blogspot, never to return again? I didn't know really, until now. I did know I fell completely in love with the 70.3 distance; head over heels enough to do many more. But would any readers really care??? I doubt anyone reading this needs training advice from newbie me.... Most of you probably do 70.3 more justice that I did anyway.
What I also know to be true is that the drive I had to get to that finish line at Timberman is gone. Not to mean that I am not motivated to continue, rather, the goals I had going into that race were fulfilled. It was an emotional journey that represented a lot- having completed the race exactly as I had hoped made those particular dreams a welcome reality. I found the courage I was desperately searching for. So what goals remain now? What can I promise you, the reader of all my nonsense?? What can I offer you now???
Well, I have always believed that triathlon, in all it's goof's & glory, is very much like everyday life. It's composed of learning and constantly striving. In the 20 hours a weeks I spend training, maybe 5 are good. 5 make me feel like I am doing something right, the remaining 15 force me to focus on something other than how bad ass I think I am. Like a job, like being a parent, a best friend, I suppose like being someone else's better half.... there are constant reasons to get out of aero, refuel and adjust, so that you can be better, stronger, more patient, more giving of the 99.9% you originally promised to give.
So Yellow Bricks will also adjust. As I now look to the future with courage & confidence, I see my goal is very different. Selfishly, I will drag Dylan around this great planet checking races off that Bucket List one by one. Hopefully within the next 49 years we will do them all. ..We have each other, and a costly but vast selection of planes, trains, and automobiles to bring us where I want to be. We are lucky beyond. So just like Dylan must give away a less amusing toy every time he gets a shiny new one, I will also share the love of this incredibly giving sport with those less capable. Timberman was very personal. Now I find a new motivation to race for something other than my own needy ego. There are some not as lucky as Dylan & I.
I haven't decided yet; there are several 'causes' quite close to my heart. I also promise next season will not become an open hand looking for your money... We can, as athletes & wkend warriors & everyday wonderful people, make a tangible difference in other ways. I will use my imagination and come up with 2 'funraisers' for next season: 1- 70.3 Rhode Island in June
2- Cedar Point Half Rev in September.
Yellow Bricks will continue to be a tiny blimp in the www........ as my 70.3 athlete bracelet is still around my wrist, this blog will serve as a confessional, a motivational tool, a reminder that anything & everything really is possible.
Thank u, & train safe!