Monday, April 16, 2007

CHOICES or IT WAS A HARRY POTTER WEEKEND.

Weird sounding, I know. But the "family" channel was broadcasting all the Harry Potter movies this weekend, and I got caught up in watching two of them. I got on the Harry Potter bandwagon late--I probably didn't read the first book until the second movie was out. Then I was hooked. J. K. Rowling is a genius of the make believe.

All that aside, someone in the "Chamber of Secrets" movie said something that stuck with me. At this point, I can't remember who it was, due to the fact that my brain suffered severe atrophy and mental boredom running 8.4 miles on the treadmill yesterday. Whoever it was who said it, this is what stood out in my mind: "Its not your abilities that define you. Its the choices you make."

I don't know how you interpret that, but in relation to triathlon, that takes a lot of stress off my mind. To me, it means that I may not have the same abilities as a the pros or even a lot of you out there, but I have made the choice to be a part of the triathlon world despite this. This, in and of itself, says something. After all, just how many women my age can do something like this, and just how many women will stick with it regardless of how well they perform? I have made the choice to train regardless of my abilities, or lack thereof. I have made the choice to surround myself with positive people in this sport, keeping me focused and going forward, regardless of how slow that forward motion is. I have made the choice to enter races that I know will be extremely hard for me to finish, at least in terms of time, and have stuck it out regardless.

So many times I have been somewhat fearful, or maybe intimidated, to attempt something that has required huge amounts of training and commitment, not so much because I didn't think I could do it, but because I was worried about my finishing time, or finishing at all. Along the way, I forgot about the fact that just doing and finishing is really what's important to me. But yet I let it get to me what others might think (or say).

It also leads me to believe--know--that anyone can do a triathlon if they choose to train for one. Some people are just going to be faster than others. But everyone trains for the same distance and covers the same ground in order to finish the race. Not everyone has the ability to be a pro, but the fact that they chose to do a triathlon (or whatever) really does put you on the same playing field.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

GREAT post. Just what I needed to read today.

Flo said...

I love that and it's very true. There's a comic strip, Frazz I think, where the school janitor is a triathlete. One of the kids asks him, "What do you call the person who finishs a triathlon last?" Frazz says, "a triathlete" It's true, we all cover the same distance in the same way, swimming-biking-running, some just do it quicker than others.

Fe-lady said...

Been there...been absolutely LAST in a race..it was the toughest one I ever finished, and one of my proudest moments, actually.

Ellie Hamilton said...

Wow, Vickie -- I really like this. Thanks for posting it!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

It's so true! Too many people refuse to pursue a dream or even just a little fun, for fear they won't be "good enough," as if life were some big contest.

If you've done the best you can with what you've got, you're as good anyone!

Larissa said...

So true! Most people won't even watch from their couches! And most people won't live their lives to the fullest - squeezing every drop from every day - and that's what you're doing! Who cares about the time? Even finishing isn't the most important thing - starting is. You rock, Vickie! Thanks for reminding me about what's important.

UltraMamaC said...

2 things -- first, we LOVE HP at my house, and we watched all those this weekend, too!

second, thank you for those very inspiring words. I really need to hear them (again and again) as I embark on this last 8 weeks before my first sprint. thanks for the lift!!

IronWaddler said...

Good and inspiring words--thanks!

sharon said...

Vickie I think the same thoughts when I start feeling sorry for myself if I'm "too slow". Only a small percentage of the population will even attempt what we do. That alone puts us in the top 10% for fitness.

Ross said...

The only 2 moments I can think of that got me emotional enough to cry in the last 5 years was the movie "Simon Birch" and watching my future wife cross the finish line at ironman Florida. You triathlete chicks are the greatest.