Triathlon Races – Success Comes Easy for Some

I’m guilty of watching triathletes I know (and some I don’t know) and being in awe of their abilities! They are incredible swimmers, strong cyclists, and swift runners. While I admire their strengths, my thoughts sometimes spirals into self-doubt (which is good for nobody). Then I catch myself in this lie: I wish it came as easy for me as it does for them. I’m not a great swimmer. My cycling legs aren’t strong. I don’t run fast. But those “other” people are just good at everything. It’s so easy to use “other” as some sort of excuse, isn’t it? I’ll never be a good swimmer like person A, I can’t power up hills like person B. Such a foolish, unhealthy thoughts! Plus, those thoughts serve no purpose in making me stronger. But the thoughts are real for me and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I don’t think it’s necessarily good to sweep those thoughts under the rug, though. A better defense is to combat those thoughts with truth. Yes, those other athletes are bosses! In fact, I train with some of them. Sometimes when I’m running (not biking or swimming), I think about people in my past that have inspired me in one way or another. Some are new friends. Some are old classmates. Some I barely know.

Jake, Justin, Nathan, Shane, Michelle, Emily, Erin, Claire, Mark, Matt, Brittany, Brent, Averi, Daniel, Jeff…

…just to name a few. These people (and many others) train so hard. I’ve seen it firsthand. Are they gifted? Sure. But whatever might appear to come easy for them is anything but. It’s like watching pro athletes in whatever sport you enjoy. For example, I like professional football. The players on the field are so talented, skilled, and determined to be the best that they’ve, in fact, become the best. But they didn’t wake up one morning and all of the sudden they’re the best quarterback or fastest receiver or strongest linebacker. The true grit of these athletes is not formed on Sunday (or whatever day the sport plays). It’s all the days leading up to it. Where are they on Monday? Tuesday? When the cameras aren’t on them? They’re in the gym. They’re on the track. Or baking on the hot sun to learn a new skill. They’re pushing themselves in training so when the matchup comes, everything they’ve learned and worked for is on display.

It’s no different for triathletes. The people I train with didn’t wake up one day and all of the sudden swim like a dolphin. Or cycle like their bike has a motor on it. Or run a 6-minute mile. They take time out of their days and weeks to train. So you’ll never catch me, God forbid, saying that it comes easy for them! That’s diminishing the work they do on long bike rides, hot runs, and practice swims. Sweat dripping to the ground. Tired legs after riding for miles and miles. The anguish on someone’s face as they cross the finish line.

That’s why I’m so inspired. Thinking about how these athletes have risen to their status through hard work is a great way to dispel the lies we make up in our minds. If they can be their best, I can be my best, too. If they work hard, I can work hard, too. The title of this post is meant to be misleading. Triathlon success isn’t easy. Whether athletes are finishing in the top 10 or just sneaking in just before the cutoff times, the success is in the work put in. Taking on the challenge should be just as gratifying, just as admirable, as crossing the finish line as the first person or the last person.

-Out of the Wilderness