Definition
Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual's passion for a particular long-term goal or end state, coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual's path to accomplishment, and serves as a driving force in achievement realization. Commonly associated concepts within the field of psychology include "perseverance", "hardiness", "resilience", "ambition", "need for achievement" and "conscientiousness".
This is who I am. Stacy the Grit.
Yes, I could spend a lot of time talking to you about my finish time and what I could improve upon yadda yadda yadda but anyone who reads my blog knows that I rarely focus on the outcome.
I focus on the process. I focus on how did I arrive at a specific point and time. I focus on the journey. Why? For me, the process is where all the learning takes place. It is where I discovered and re-discovered parts of who I am in the deepest and loneliness times while learning to swim especially in Open Water. For me, the process or training makes the race day. Race day can not be duplicated. It is one time and date, but the process can.
It is only in the training or the process of learning something new that I learned that I am tougher than I ever thought and how my mind played the biggest role in getting me across the Chicago Olympic Triathlon Finish line.
It was during my last training weekend that I could finally say to myself, "Stacy, you stayed the course. You have gutted out all these workouts. You swam ever swim session.
In 3 months, you went from some with no OWS experience to completing the Chicago Tri. You know you are willing to commit to the start and the finish. You are willing to suffer through fear in the swim and pain on the run. You are ready! " Powerful words that only must come from within.
I did not learn that on race day. I learned all of those things during months of swimming alone and feeling frustrated. I learned all of this while sitting on a trainer cycling for months. I learned how to will myself to run faster off the bike by doing it over and over when in the dead of Winter when we had 40 inches of snow and 90+ degree days in the Summer.
The Chicago Triathlon is not the longest event I have ever done, but it was the most emotional. It required I tap into every fiber of my body and mind to stay present and committed to each stroke on the swim, pedal on the bike and step of the run.
Each time I moved forward I claimed victory and smiled. I could have stopped each time I was slapped or kicked in the swim or when I watched faster cyclist pass me or even when it took me 10 mins to find my sneakers among the 7000 athletes' gear before starting on the run. I could have said
"Nope, I am done!" But I told myself when I started the race " Stacy, commit to finish." I did. Each step on the run I smiled more and more. I was tired the last .2 on the run. It was uphill and hot, but I just kept saying " Commit, commit, commit" and before I knew it I had arrived to a sea of spectators cheering at the finish.
In three months, I did my first OWS to Chicago Olympic Triathlon.
The outcome is what it is. A sub- 4 Hr Olympic Tri. I am pleased. My weakest event is the swim and it took 57 minutes to swim 1500 in Lake Michigan. I practiced the bike and finished 24.9 miles in 1:30 bike at 16:40 mph and ran 6.2 miles in 54 mins run 8:49 min mile. This is the third fastest time in my life and second fastest this year. My age group 45-49F. I was in great company.
I am committed to do another Olympic next year in a smaller less chaotic environment to continue to improve upon this outcome but my plan will not change.
Commitment and Grit is what it takes to achieve any goal.
Until the next time.....
Enjoy the journey
Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual's passion for a particular long-term goal or end state, coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual's path to accomplishment, and serves as a driving force in achievement realization. Commonly associated concepts within the field of psychology include "perseverance", "hardiness", "resilience", "ambition", "need for achievement" and "conscientiousness".
This is who I am. Stacy the Grit.
Yes, I could spend a lot of time talking to you about my finish time and what I could improve upon yadda yadda yadda but anyone who reads my blog knows that I rarely focus on the outcome.
I focus on the process. I focus on how did I arrive at a specific point and time. I focus on the journey. Why? For me, the process is where all the learning takes place. It is where I discovered and re-discovered parts of who I am in the deepest and loneliness times while learning to swim especially in Open Water. For me, the process or training makes the race day. Race day can not be duplicated. It is one time and date, but the process can.
It is only in the training or the process of learning something new that I learned that I am tougher than I ever thought and how my mind played the biggest role in getting me across the Chicago Olympic Triathlon Finish line.
It was during my last training weekend that I could finally say to myself, "Stacy, you stayed the course. You have gutted out all these workouts. You swam ever swim session.
In 3 months, you went from some with no OWS experience to completing the Chicago Tri. You know you are willing to commit to the start and the finish. You are willing to suffer through fear in the swim and pain on the run. You are ready! " Powerful words that only must come from within.
I did not learn that on race day. I learned all of those things during months of swimming alone and feeling frustrated. I learned all of this while sitting on a trainer cycling for months. I learned how to will myself to run faster off the bike by doing it over and over when in the dead of Winter when we had 40 inches of snow and 90+ degree days in the Summer.
The Chicago Triathlon is not the longest event I have ever done, but it was the most emotional. It required I tap into every fiber of my body and mind to stay present and committed to each stroke on the swim, pedal on the bike and step of the run.
Each time I moved forward I claimed victory and smiled. I could have stopped each time I was slapped or kicked in the swim or when I watched faster cyclist pass me or even when it took me 10 mins to find my sneakers among the 7000 athletes' gear before starting on the run. I could have said
"Nope, I am done!" But I told myself when I started the race " Stacy, commit to finish." I did. Each step on the run I smiled more and more. I was tired the last .2 on the run. It was uphill and hot, but I just kept saying " Commit, commit, commit" and before I knew it I had arrived to a sea of spectators cheering at the finish.
In three months, I did my first OWS to Chicago Olympic Triathlon.
The outcome is what it is. A sub- 4 Hr Olympic Tri. I am pleased. My weakest event is the swim and it took 57 minutes to swim 1500 in Lake Michigan. I practiced the bike and finished 24.9 miles in 1:30 bike at 16:40 mph and ran 6.2 miles in 54 mins run 8:49 min mile. This is the third fastest time in my life and second fastest this year. My age group 45-49F. I was in great company.
I am committed to do another Olympic next year in a smaller less chaotic environment to continue to improve upon this outcome but my plan will not change.
Commitment and Grit is what it takes to achieve any goal.
Until the next time.....
Enjoy the journey
I knew and I believed before you did! I totally understand about the journey...it is the best part. The finish is just icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteLove you, my friend! True Grit
It was truly an honor to have met you this past weekend! I LOVE and admire your commitment and wise words! Thank you for sharing your journey! I appreciate you for this! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FINISH!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. It was such a pleasure meeting you too. I truly enjoy people accomplish their goals. I personally receive joy and energy from seeing people get out there and Tri their best. If this blog touches one person or encourages one person to try something they were afraid to do then I feel like I have done my job. Thank you for reading this.
DeleteLisa. Thank you for witnessing this process and reminding me I can when I get in my own way. Support is everything. I truly have valued yours.
ReplyDeleteI didnt know you had a blog. :)
ReplyDeletei never worry about times when it comes to new distances. i always just focused on getting to the finish line and learning.
proud of you.
Learn I did. Learning is doing and doing is learning. This was a personal journey and even if I came in last I won. Just want to keep stretching the limits. Thanks so much for your support.
Delete