I always enjoyed exercising, but during the past summer I
took on additional workouts as I prepared for the 23rd West Point Triathlon.
Unlike an Ironman triathlon where the distances are extreme (swim 2.5 miles,
bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles), this was comparatively “short”. The
segments were an 800 meter (.49 mile) swim, 13 kilometer (13.7 mile) bike, and
a 5k (3.1 mile) run.
While I was not concerned with winning the event, I did
want to test myself. In fact, my first great realization was that I am not
well-adjusted. At first, I thought it was about completion, not competition.
That is what I told people. But as I started to get better during my training,
I realized that I wanted to fight like hell out there. On race day, I was NOT
allowing anyone to slow me down.
Many times I would think about the “life lessons” that are analogous to training
or really hard work and dedication of any kind. So, here are my ”lessons
learned” form my first triathlon:
You have to do the work (miles) yourself – some days during
my training, it was rainy and miserable. Other mornings (I train very early), I
just felt lazy. However, as with any worthwhile goal, I had to get out there
and put in the hard work to get the desired results. If you are trying to make
that sale or trying to run 3 miles for the first time, it’s not always easy or
pleasant. By being persistent and doing the work or running when you don’t feel
like it WILL payoff in the long term.
When it gets hard, put your head down and take it one step
at a time –Most training days, I was either running or biking and I would
always come across hills of varying magnitudes. There is one hill in particular
on my route that begins with a tough grade and gets steeper and steeper over
the course of a mile. Invariably, I put my head down and keep telling myself to
just keep putting one foot in front of the other and before I knew it, I would
be at the top. Have you hit any rough patches in life lately? Even though it is
not always the solution sometimes you just have to put your head down, take
what comes, and plow ahead one-step at a time.
Find YOUR sources of inspiration – I like to exercise and
workout. But there were stages where I felt done. During those times, I would
frequently read about people who really had it really tough. Most likely, whatever
your goals, there are people out there who have overcome and triumphed in the
face of adversity and have done what you would like to be doing. Learn from their stories and lessons when you are feeling overwhelmed.
There are countless other lessons to be taken away from
extended periods of hard work, dedication, and commitment. Ultimately, if you
are determined, have a clear, well defined goal, and a positive mindset, you
can accomplish almost anything that you set your mind to do.
