Unfinished Business
A couple of months ago, I signed up to do a Half-Ironman triathlon. It will take place on October 1st in and around the small city of Muncie, Indiana.
I’ve completed several Half-Ironmans in the past, and some of you may remember that I completed a full Ironman (2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run) back in September of 2018.
So why, at the ripe old age of 63, will I push my body and mind well beyond their comfort zones…once again?
Well, I’m glad you asked.
Three years ago, on this date, I was in the best physical shape of my AARP life :). I was training to do another Ironman.
Then I crashed and broke my hip.
It took several months to recuperate, and in January of 2020, I signed up to do another Ironman…then COVID-19 decided to pay a visit and shut down the triathlon world.
Then in January of 2021, I signed up to do another Ironman…thinking we would have our caretakers for Jordy back in the fold…that didn’t happen, which meant I didn’t have the time I needed to prepare.
So here I am three years after my wreck, bound and determined to finish a Half Ironman and use it as a significant step toward completing another full Ironman in a year or two.
I know that I may seem a tad bit crazy, but exercise is my greatest ally when it comes to battling all the mental stuff that goes along with being someone who’s learned to dance sober through life with an addiction disorder.
Back to the opening quote…
If there is one thing, I have realized during my training and competing in triathlons over the past twenty years–study, preparation (training), and perseverance are the keys.
In my early days of training, I was relentless with my study of the sport of triathlon. I watched VHS Swim instruction tapes until they no longer worked and wore the covers off of books related to triathlon bike and run training.
Preparation not only involves the actual practice and training for race day but includes taking time each Sunday to put together a training plan for the week.
Perseverance means not giving up when life is throwing curveballs at you. A wise person once told me, “When life isn’t going your way, you can sit and bitch about it or keep moving forward and make the most out of it.”
What are you trying to do with your life?
What is your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)?
If you aren’t making progress, take an inventory of your study, preparation, and perseverance habits.
The study and preparation process is often slow, tedious, and, in some instances, painful. But an attitude of perseverance will see you through.
Nothing beats that feeling when you cross the finish line in accomplishing a BHAG, and I will do just that on October 1st of this year.
Study – Proverbs 15:14, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” (NLT)
Prepare – Proverbs 24:7, “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.”
Persevere – Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
