The Other Side

T-minus six weeks.  It is “Go-Time.”  This weekend I attended a swim clinic at Swim4Purpose with Doug Saar and an Olympian, Fred Hviid.  Outstanding is all I can say.   Doug “took us to school” and spoke in detail about common swimming errors while Fred demonstrated techniques.  I would highly recommend the clinic, but there is nothing like a double jointed, buff, Olympic swimmer to make you feel like…” Dude, I just wanna finish my first Tri…Damn, seriously. Who moves like a fish with 6 strokes and he is across the pool to make you feel intimidated.”  I was amazed.  I could have watched him swim all day. He was fluid and graceful.  Most of all he was patient.  Fred was in the pool with all the swimmers speaking kindly and gently as well did the techniques.  The swimmers were from all different experiences, some were season Ironman(women); while others were in the “O Lordy category…Get me through the swim.”  It didn’t matter.  All the knowledge was useful.  I stayed behind and spoke Fred for a few.  He told me that he used to spend at a minimum of 7 hours a day in the pool and that did not include time in the gym doing polymetrics and core strength exercises.  That was typical day.  He says, “Swimming is not natural so you have to training your brain and body to do something to make it as natural as putting on your sneakers and running out the door.”  For most Triathletes, swimming is a skill to be learned to get to the bike more than a sport.  It becomes a sport when you really learned the skills  and that requires hours in the pool and dedicated focus.  I guess anyone doing anything for hours will get really good at it.  I respected the feedback. 

 Personally, I think I enjoy going to events, workshops and trainings because the people I meet intrigue me.  I met one woman who did not learn to swim until she was 55 yrs old at the workshop.  She gave me a hug and said,   “ I am so proud of you.  You can do this.”  She is 57 yrs old and completed her first Ironman earlier this year.  Amazing…Simply Amazing.   I thought.."Here we are working our tails off in a pool for 2.5 hours and this woman had a moment in her life to encourage me and give me a hug."  The universe is beautiful.  I was truly encouraged.

 Yesterday, I got home from the swim clinic feeling beat down.  It was 90 degrees and after 2 hrs + in the pool; I could not even think about getting on the bike and running on Sunday especially knowing that the course would be very hilly.  But …..I set my alarm and crawled out of bed at 5:45am and went to the training Brick and Picnic.  Ok…I knew the course was going to be challenging so I mentally prepared…” Put it in low and just go….”  I did.  I made it through the course of hill after hill without getting off the bike and ran afterwards with ladies for training.  Afterwards, we shared food with lots of miles of smiles and laughs.  No one sat around saying…” So…so is slow.”  We just supported every athlete as they arrived at the picnic area. Both organizers who are  Ironman completers sat and chatted with us as well.  It was a great day. 

   Yes, the pain was real. The struggle was real. The challenge is real, but so is the feeling of accomplishment.  I get that same feeling every time I really struggle through something and come out on the other side.  It is a feeling that can’t be explained; only experienced.   It is not something anyone can give you. You give yourself this gift when you accomplish your goal.  My first Masters degree in Psychology thesis was on Self-Efficacy, the power to believe that one can accomplish things through effort.  We never know what we can do, but first we must do.  Doing is learning and learning is doing, but first one must believe that they can do and they will.  Endurance sports are all about self-efficacy in my opinion.  One does not take on a challenge and put in countless hours, cost and effort for nothing.  Those that engage in endurance activities have the ability to endure and will themselves through hours of activity and sometimes pain for a medal, a T-shirt and food.  Most gain something that no other human can give them …..The feeling of accomplishment.

I share with others not because I am a great athlete…I am NOT, but I really want people to think about all they can accomplish if they are just willing to keep things simple, enjoy the journey and know that the best reward awaits you on the other side of impossible. 

 Anecdote:  What do people think about when you are in pain going up a freaking hill that is crazy?  I found myself going back to Sesame Street since I was only going 6 mph.  …..A loaf a bread, a container of milk and stick of butter….

Sesame Street--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNghp9tPXjo

The journey continues….