It is the end of an era. Well, maybe not an era, but it's the end of the 2010 season- officially. Why? My beautiful blue 70.3 athlete's bracelet just fell apart, and slid off my wrist in an 'omg' tear jerking moment this morning.
sniff sniff...
Ok, have your laugh. There is a reason I am good at what I do, I care way too much about the little details of life. Make no mistake people- my crunchy, washed up blue wrist band will be framed with my medal by next week. I'm more than proud of it. I'll make a shrine out of it! I'm not a hoarder by any means, but somethings one must keep as reminders... Hence the only two newborn things I kept of Dylan's are his mini running shoes & a teeny tiny (unused) diaper. I see them, and they inspire me to be better.
The milestones of life shamelessly define us. We get teary eyed, yet we smile proud, as we know the person we were before is somehow very different from the person we became in that moment.
Dylan was 36hrs of pain & now 4 years of giggles & adventure. Timberman was 6hrs of fun filled determination. One is my beginning, the other my second chance. One was joy lost to uncertainty & fear. The other was very much the opposite.
Don't leave all that you are in a FB application of what type of tree you'd be, or what dog you most resemble. Triathletes are not Chihuahua's. Wondering why you are here? Why this sport continues to push you, motivate you, inspire or scare you? Here's my tidbit of wisdom for the upcoming 2011 season: just do it, you'll find a whole new person underneath.
2010 was the year I faced my fears. I did every single thing I was too chicken shit to do in 2009: I took motherhood by the hand, and walked with it, at my own pace with my own amateur program, and I qualified with brilliance. :o) I saved a friendship that encompassed personal heartache- putting someone else's needs way ahead of my own. I rode my bike out on the open highway, even after the tragic losses that devastated our community. I learned to swim, despite the inability to control the asthma that came with it; I caught my breath. I started & finished perfectly the race I sincerely didn't believe I could do: I didn't back out, or find an injury excuse, I went alone and did it all on my own like a big, brave girl. I took the dream job, the one I've wanted for years- I've embraced it and am making it a success, helping people left, right & centre. And I really don't care if you believe helping others is a silly excuse for a career.
I'm not bragging, I'm not even trying to impress myself. I am trying to tell you that you don't have to jump over the edge.... just take a step, and another step.... and each one after that will follow out of the remarkable momentum you created in your own life.
WTF, Jules? You ask. What does this have to do with triathlon? A lot.
We are part of a sport that puts definitions and boundaries on success. Times and distances, I did this, you only did that. I ride this, you still have training wheels... What would happen, in 2011, if you decided to be your own cheerleader and your own sponsor? If you do it in your own way? If you take on 1 challenge and forcefully attack it with all the fire in your belly? If the only thing stopping you from tri-ing this season is a fear of swimming, or riding, or overdosing on gels... I urge you to take 1 step outside your habitual life to just do it. Start small, in the basement or in the slow lane, bring a buddy for moral support, and try to kick his/ her ass in the process. You might not want a cheap, plastic bracelet- but you'll get a new definition of who you really are, and who you'd really like to be.
Empower yourself. Live your PB. Train safe.