I find myself asking this question a lot lately......daily, hourly perhaps.
Summer is a perfect time for me to take some time to reflect, to dig down deep and ask myself.....what is MY passion?? I mean what moves me, what makes me excited to get out of bed, what drives me.....something I can call my own. And really, what makes me a better person. How can I strive to be the best person I know how to be. Besides the obvious of my kids......because they truly are the REASON in my life. In fact, just upon waking Trev today, I said to him....."you just make me smile".
But, sometimes, I look for something else, something of my own that drives
me.........next to my kids I have triathlons and there is certainly passion there......a simple passion that has grown to provide me with a base of friends, connections, life skills, a healthy lifestyle and opportunities to challenge myself on all different levels.
This past weekend was one of my favorite races, Timberman Triathlon, nestled way up Northwest in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The best part about this race is that its far enough away that you almost have to make a weekend out of it. The last couple years, a bunch of friends have gathered to race and then to simply hang out, relax and enjoy the post race
environment together as friends. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh............
As far as a quick race report, I am pleased to say that this is the first race of the season that I felt confident. I felt like (if there was an elite wave), I would have belonged. The last two seasons have been difficult.......I think ever since I broke my wrist two months before going to Kona.........a string of events took me down emotionally, physically, mentally and perhaps took a bit of my passion too.
This year (in a real effort to get that passion back), I needed to take some pressure off myself. I needed to train and race to my best ability while keeping my kids in priority- a tough balance. I always know that I will give my best performance that I have in me on race day. As important, when I cross that finish line and after I look at results.......I will SMILE, I will be happy for ME. I will know that I gave it my all and that is ENOUGH. Because training and racing have become so much more than results..........
When I get home, I know that Trev and Lexi will love me no matter what.....they always ask me if I "win" but they love me just the same. I was excited to tell them about my race this weekend, I was excited to tell them that I got 6th place overall (5th place shy by 3 seconds) and a first place age group(remember no elite wave) but they wanted to know what the cabin was like that I stayed in??
Anyway.......I am excited to feel the PASSION for racing to come back. My big goal is Ironman Florida and to qualify again for Kona. Someday, I will. I believe. I will. I have many more Ironmans in me......
And when I do qualify, I will take my kids with me. And I will take my camera with me. Because I love to take photos.........my newest passion.
More on that later.
4 comments:
Fun post! I used to love that race up in Grand Rapids bc the water was so clear and crisp, then you had this long T1 run across a golf course. It likely has changed but great venue.
I hope to be at TNTT, yes. I am doing a stage race this weekend so assuming that goes ok I will see you there.
Good job at Timberman, way to go!
Glad to hear you felt great at Timberman. I would love to do that race someday! Looks like a fun group!
I am losing my confidence in sport in my year off. As much as I am enjoying it, watching the athletes last weekend made me wonder if I could do it again AND how I ever did it in the first place! I am sure that when I return I will experience some ups and downs and I will know who to come to!
It is great to have passions other than triathlon. Obviously our children come first. But you are right, to be a good mom and significant other, we need something to call our own. I am happy for you that you have that in triathlon & photography! How's the garden?
I could absolutely see it in you. when we passed by eachohter on the run you looked just awesome. Happy, strong, and yes, confident. you were driven. The passion was there. Great race jules and great weekend!! j
Great to have you guys on Thur / Fri ! What a great summer ! Enjoyed the photo of the infamous bus ;) -JB
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