Yesterday I ran my 10th Columbia Triathlon… (might be 11th, but I am pretty sure its the 10th). I don't get hung up on details...
It doesn’t feel like much of an achievement, but for some reason as I step into my closet everyday and look at the medals of the triathlons, marathons and races that I’ve done, it makes me smile.
It’s the passing of time…
The medals symbolize longevity… a sustained focus.
They are reminders of years and challenges gone by…
The Chicago marathon with my buddy Joe – painful! The Baltimore marathon… the many Columbia triathlons… the first race with Lucas…
Signing up for these races keeps me focused. It gives me just a little more reason to get up and into a workout. And, that is what its all about for me.
I am not one who is ever going to “win” one of these races. I don’t give it the time that it would require… and I really don’t care enough about winning to want to become that dedicated to it.
I care about doing all that I can to stay fit over time… and there is a satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment from FINISHING physical challenges. I never thought I’d run a marathon, and I ran two in one week. I never thought I could do a tough mudder and I finished one last Fall. These races/challenges are just a fun reminder that you can accomplish so much… if you just tri (spelled incorrectly on purpose ;-)
This year, I didn’t train specifically for the triathlon. I ran a lot. Ok – I ran some. I hadn’t been on my bike since last Fall. It was great to ride again. And, I did swim Friday for 45 minutes, but that was the first time that I was in the pool since sometime last year.
Clearly – I don’t train enough…
The swim was cancelled, which I was actually disappointed by. So, it was a 25 mile bike with a 10k. I did it in under 2 and a half hours. Whatever!
My goal, as I told my buddy was to have the happiest race of my life. I was focused on smiling and replaying the “Happy” song in my head.
As I ran and my legs got more tired and my quads started to burn, it got harder and harder to sing the “Happy” song. I would catch myself not smiling, and reminding myself to do so.
It does amaze me the power of a smile. The pain lessens when I smile, but the more the pain the harder it is to remember to smile.
There were many times when you feel like stopping, but stopping can never be an option. You must keep moving, even if its slower than you would choose, but you must keep moving.
This year, I tracked my time with a garmin. Metrics help. I would check my watch and catch myself below pace, and speed up. Metrics matter. Stopping was not an option.
I didn’t train, but that didn’t mean, I wouldn’t or couldn’t push.
It’s a small race. It’s not a far distance. But no matter what race you do – you push yourself as hard as you can for that distance… so they all end up hurting ;-)
For me “winning”, in the sense of being on the podium at the end of the race, isn’t realistic. I was proud last year when my time was in the top half and top quartile of my age groups in some of the legs. I’ll take that. What I was proudest of, is that two years ago, none of my times where in the top quarter nor half of my pack.
So many people I know do races. They do them for many reasons.
The Columbia Triathlon has become the day of the year that I am most aware of my sisters. It started by just writing their names on my legs and arms during my first marathon. I thought their memories carry me in so many ways, that I will write each of their names on one of my legs.
And, for whatever reason, the Columbia Triathlon has become the day that I race with them most on my mind.
I have thought about those programs where you get to push a handicapped person for a race. I dream about doing that with someone with MDA on the Columbia tri… and I will… I will do that. I am going to look into it.
The absolute truth is that feeling strong is a blessing and a gift, and one that I never want to take for granted. And, I want to stay strong and stay grateful and these races help me do that…
At the end of the race yesterday, I passed a few folks in the last 300 yards… I love that final sprint… that final burst of energy. I am dangerous in the last couple hundred yards… the first 30 some miles… ehhh – not so much ;-)
I crossed the finished line and looked at all the happy faces. I looked at all the people congratulating each other. I didn’t slow my stride. I enjoyed the pain in my legs and the sense of accomplishment. It was a beautiful day. I smiled as I remembered the happy song. I walked with my new found medal back the ½ mile walk to my bike… and I started to pack.
I felt strong. I was all alone with this sense of strength and accomplishment – as irrelevant as the race may be… the feeling of gratitude for strength is extremely relevant.
I looked at my arms and my legs, “DEE” and “ANA” written messily on my limbs. My eyes filled with tears, as I continued to smile… I’m still here… I’m still running... I’m still dreaming… I am grateful… and I am never alone …
See you next year… ;-)
Keep running…
Keep smiling…
Everyday is a gift…
Everyday is a win…
TRI harder!
Yours in harmony,
Nestor