Triathlon Spirit

Today I participated in the YMCA Women's Sprint Triathlon. This recount is not a race report about transition times and awards. It is about the mental aspects of triathlon. It is about my own mental chatter.

Why am I writing this?  Well I am my own project! I am a work in progress in all things. I am willing to be the student no matter whatever my age so I can learn new skills and learn about myself. 

For me and maybe others, triathlon is a mental trip. For most newbies, like myself, we are not good at every sport or even like to swim, bike or run but we are willing to try.  We are willing to humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are not good at something even before we start an event.  We strategize. As I spoke to different women today, I noticed that women put themselves in categories. Some declared themselves as swimmers and  stated that they would walk or crawl to the finish line but they would finish. For those who declared themselves as runners,   they vowed to do everything to get "the heck out if the water!!!"  

The mind of the triathlete is different. The mindset is one of sheer determination and focus. For example, one woman fell off her bike, but got up and kept going. Another women had a flat tire and was determined to continue. This " can do" spirit is what I love about triathlon at all levels.

 There are several things that were apparent for me today.

1. Athletes are competing against self, the mind and body.  

2. Triathlon is not about going faster necessarily but rather who slows down the least! Upon my observation, the difference between one athlete and another was not that one person was particularly fast, but they maintained a steady pace while another succumb to fatigue. Yes!! It comes down to how much suffering one can withstand. 

2. Triathletes adapt quickly. No matter how much training one does; the triathlete will never know what the conditions will be like on race day.  They adapt to changing conditions constantly from race delays to cancelled events. 

3. Triathlon is about the process. It is three races in one event. The mind and body is forced to focus on one event at a time.  This can be difficult, but I found that visualization and meditation assists in "staying in the moment."

What are the real applications? Perhaps triathlon could be a therapeutic tool to help people with anxiety. It can teach valuable lessons in self-discipline, positive self-talk and self-regulation. As I pursue my nurse practitioner degree in psychiatric/ mental health; it is my desire to understand how exercise/movement can impact mental health and addictions. Perhaps, triathlon can train those with anxiety and ADHD focus and the art of being present.  Perhaps, those who are afflicted with maladaptive addictions to substances, food, spending etc. can transfer maladapative behaviors  to ones that are adaptive and healthy. 

Until the next time....

It is all about the journey.