My soul is filled with memories.
Ironman Muncie, 70.3 provided me with an abundance of writing material. I will continue to share relevant thoughts each Monday as the weeks pass. Eventually, I will move on, but for now, I will keep sharing key moments with you.
It’s post-race; I’ve accomplished my goal of finishing Ironman Muncie, 70.3. I was especially excited because Lori and Jordan were waiting for me at the finish line.
I head to the food tent, and much to my delight, I see a spread that includes barbecued chicken, red potatoes, and cole slaw. I load my plate and head to a picnic table, slowly and painfully lowering my body to sit on a bench and inhale the food with other finishers. Lori looked at me and said, “How can you eat all that food after what you’ve just done?” I replied with a smile, “You just watch.”
As I sat and inhaled the chicken, I was drawn to all the people conversing, laughing, eating, drinking, and generally having a great time. Some of these people were family members and friends of the competitors, but most were the participants of Ironman Muncie.
It was a beautiful fall afternoon. The sun was bright, the air was crisp, but more importantly, the spirit that engulfed Prairie Creek Reservoir Park was vibrant and uplifting.
It’s all about community.
On my ride home, the following thoughts percolated in my head…
- Close to a thousand people of all shapes, sizes, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender, and age huddled on the beach in the frigid morning air, anticipating the plunge into Prairie Creek Reservoir to begin the race…all of whom were encouraging one another that jumping into the lake at 7:30 am on a 45 degree, chilly fall morning was a good thing to do…especially if you had any desire to complete the entire race. 🙂
- Every ten miles or so on the bike, there were aid stations, and the volunteers at these stations were not only there to provide fluids and nutrition, but they rang their cowbells and held signs up to encourage us to keep going and not to give up.
- Every mile of the run, there were aid stations with the same type of people encouraging us to finish…I still get overwhelmed with gratitude when I think of all the volunteers–maybe a couple hundred–who gave up their Saturday to be there for the racers.
- The run was an out-and-back, so unless you were one of the elite competitors, we were passing by one another all afternoon. Very seldom did we pass a runner going the other way without shouting words of encouragement to each other.
- The finish line was just beyond the top of one final hill on the hilliest course I ever ran. People shouted and screamed words of encouragement, Lori and Jordan, much to my surprise, cheering me on, the announcer boldly stating who we were, where we were from, and our age as we crossed the finish line.
- And then the post-race meal and camaraderie I felt. Did I share that I ate half a chicken?
Then I thought, “Hanging around a community of people with common goals and the discipline to achieve them is so powerful.”
God built us for community.
You may recall that COMMUNITY is a part of my P.E.A.C.E. acronym…
Community – Nothing great in life happens by doing it alone. The chances of achieving your dream expand as your COMMUNITY of positive mentors and coaches expand. You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with–and yes, spending time with “people” through books and instructional videos factors into your “average.”
Questions
Who do you hang out with?
Is your community uplifting or down-pushing?
Is your community encouraging or discouraging?
Do you realize that those you routinely follow on the news and social media are a part of your community?
Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
AFFIRM YOUR P.E.A.C.E.
Purpose with a Plan – No matter how big or small, we all have a purpose. Your purpose lies at the intersection of your passions and your gifts. Find your PURPOSE and create a daily PLAN to help you fulfill it to the best of your ability.
Effort – Turning your dream/goal into reality requires a commitment to putting forth consistent and focused EFFORT toward executing your plan. Nothing great in life happens without working hard.
Attitude – The chances of achieving your dream increase exponentially if you believe you will achieve it. Remember that your ATTITUDE determines your altitude in all areas of your life.
Community – Nothing great in life happens by doing it alone. The chances of achieving your dream expand as your COMMUNITY of positive mentors and coaches expand. You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with–and yes, spending time with “people” through books and instructional videos factors into your “average.”
Energy – Living a purposeful life requires optimal mental, physical, and spiritual ENERGY. Commit daily to a routine of nurturing your mental, physical, and spiritual self to provide the energy needed to live your best life on purpose.
