"Success is not always measured by winning, but by simply getting through the rough patches, and in doing so, inspiring others that they can too." Discussing how we can use lessons learned in the sport of triathlon to help us get through the most challenging stages of life.
I have only a few final steps to go down the chute and raise my arms in triumph just in time for the photographer to capture the moment as I cross the finish line. I always wanted to have this picture. The picture of arms raised at the finish of a 70.3 race. Up to now, I had been too shy to exhibit this emotion. But I was determined this time to revel in my finish. The last three miles of this race were hard. At mile 6 of the 13 mile run, my left hip starting hurting, followed by my right knee by mile 7. At mile 10, my right lower calf starting cramping and by mile 11, both lower calfs were half cramped up. I felt as if I was shuffling because if I had full extension of my legs, I was sure they would seize up and I would fall down. I was dripping sweat, but amidst the sweat was also tears as I was cursing my lack of training resulting in the painful finish.
But I also was determined to enjoy this experience. After all, I had chosen to do this and even paid to do this. Ha! What I found so inspiring was looking at all the athletes participating beside me. Men and women of all ages, and all level of conditioning were competing. At the start of the race, the volunteers write your race number on your right arm and mark you left calf with your age. I love checking out everyone’s age as I get passed. Constant on the bike portion I hear “On your left.” “On your left.” “On your left.” This is other bikers telling me they are passing me. I feel encouraged when I pass someone younger than myself. But oddly, I am also inspired when someone older passes me. I think if they can do this, I can do this. I love seeing what I’m made of. Demanding myself to continue through pain and finish.
I was so happy to have crossed that finish line, but when I looked up and saw my time I have to admit I was disappointed. I have yet to leave it all out there. To push myself to my utmost limit. I don't wear a watch when I race, so had no idea of my splits, nor my running pace. When I get serious about breaking a certain time, I will start timing myself. But up to now, I just race as hard as I can. It was almost an hour after the race ended until I looked up my results, and I realized that my chip time was actually over a 1/2 hour faster than the time I had seen. I had indeed beaten my best time by 15 minutes and gotten a PR. I was thrilled. Certainly worthy of arms raised.
While this was a triumphant moment for me, I also want to discuss other looks of success. While one may think of arms raised or one standing on a podium with a medal or medals draped around their neck, as the symbol of succeeding, I saw a powerful image of a finish that will forever inspire me. The most inspiring picture of a finish I have seen was not one with arms raised. It was the picture of the dramatic finish by Julie Moss in the 1982 IRONMAN World Championship. Moss was the surprise leader all the way to almost the end. But after nearly 11 hours of pushing herself to her limit, she had depleted all her glycogen stores and began to cramp up. She refused to stop, and the crowds watched her get passed. Overcome with cramps, she fell to the ground and crawled down the chute. Later watching her iconic footage, Moss remarked, “That finish was so drawn out and so graphic, and I think it connected and resonated in a way that people felt like they were on this journey with me.” Amazingly, she finished second. She inspired so many people with her determination to finish. In 1982, the IRONMAN World Championships was just in its fourth year. Her famous finish has inspired countless endurance athletes who followed her and helped propel the interest in the sport of triathlon.
I am drawn to triathlon by the challenge. I am a pretty good swimmer, a decent runner, and a poor biker. Obviously this is not advantages as the majority of a triathlon race is the bike portion. On the bright side, if I can make significant improvements in my bike time, I may be able to see huge time drops. As I’m still relatively new to the sport and trying to juggle training with all my mom responsibilities, I haven’t been a serious contender yet. Although early in my training plans for each race I set lofty goals, as the race approaches these goals always change. I have now done three 70.3 races, and I have to admit that by the night before each race, my only real goal is to finish. I recognize that my preparation is usually sub par, and I can only expect so much out of myself. So I embark on the race with the mindset to finish the best I can, and to truly enjoy the experience. There are some very painful moments that I have to push through. And some of these moments are not so brief.
For example, in my last race, during the last 11 miles of the bike, my crouch was killing, my back was aching and my feet were going numb. I couldn't wait to get off the bike. But wait. Once off the bike, I had to run 13 miles. A different type of pain. One thing I love about Oceanside 70.3 is the aid stations. When I do the run, I truly run from aid station to aid station and take in whatever they have to offer. At one station, I have a shot of red bull and pour water on my head. Another station, I guzzle gatorade and take a Gu. The next, a bite of banana. Truly, I love these aid stations, and I am so thankful for these volunteers who give up their time to help all of us get to the finish line. And it truly is amazing to see my family and friends cheering me on, along with hundreds of strangers, as I run down the final shoot and complete the race.
When I think of how inspirational Moss’s finish was, I am reminded that success does not always have the look of triumph. Moss’s crawl inspired thousands of athletes and helped propel the sport of triathlon mainstream, while a first place finish would not have had nearly the same impact. Life outside of triathlon is also full of struggle. Everyone has their own personal struggles. Whether it be with work, family, finances, health, weight, friends… Life is challenging. I have a dear friend who has been struggling these last few years with her mom slipping into the grips of Alzheimers. This relentless disease has no mercy. My friend states that she has always been a competitor and never failed before. But she feels like such a failure as she can’t help her mom. I have other friends whose loved ones are battling cancer or battled it. It is so defeating to see a loved one succumb to these awful diseases. We want to save our loved ones, and it is so depressing when we can’t. It is painful and hard.
But I am reminded that it is only when we are weak and vulnerable, that we can grow and learn. It is when the challenge is more than we can bear, that we have to lean on others and trust in God. Unfortunately, we cannot always save the ones we care about most. But in dealing with the most painful moments of life, we reach deep into our souls and discover who we really are. In despair, we learn our own limitations and it opens us up to being receptive to the kindness and help of others. In tragedy we learn that we are not alone, and at times need to rely on others. It enables us to learn empathy and grace. Although these times are painful, and may not be so fleeting, if we stay determined to get through them, we will become a better person. Although sport is just a slice of life, the lessons we learn through sport can sometimes help us through the most challenging stages of life. It is ok to be knocked off our feet. Sometimes we are completely depleted physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Sometimes we cannot stay standing and all we can do is crawl. But never give up. Life is not about winning, but undertaking the journey. Sometimes, we just have to give it our all to get through the hard times. Success is not always measured by winning, but by simply getting through the rough patches and in doing so inspiring others that they can too!
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