This afternoon my wife and I met with a friend of ours. Eventually the conversation turned to my Ironman that is quickly approaching. Our friend asked me an interesting question. Quite simply it was “What is your goal in doing this?”
I stated “To finish.” She asked again “Besides that, why? What do you hope to accomplish?” I thought for a moment thinking that finishing the race should have been a sufficient reason and a good answer. I really wasn’t sure what she was getting at.
This is my first season in the sport of triathlon. I had done a couple sprint distance races several years ago but never gave much thought to becoming a triathlete. In fact when I was first approached by a friend of my to try doing an Ironman distance race I flat out told him no. When I finally decided to give it a try I jumped in with both feet.By the end of my first season I will have done every distance you can do in the sport of triathlon.
What started out as something to try has turned into a passion. I love the training, I love the comraderie with my team, I love competing , and most of all I love being surrounded by like minded healthy, as well as those striving to get there, people.
Often when Suzy and I go to an event, whether to compete or watch, people will come up to us and thank us for inspiring them to get healthy. That is an amazing compliment and one that drives us in our quest to continue living healthy lives. We know people are watching us.
This brings me back to why I am going to compete in the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championships. I am obviously going there to finish, but more importantly I am going there to show myself and others what we can do when we set our minds to do something that is important to us.
The longer I thought about my friend’s question the more reasons I began to come up with. Me doing this event is setting an example for my little boys. Even though they may never remember me crossing the line in Hawaii, they are seeing me workout everyday and working to be healthy. As I continue in this sport they are going to see me as well as their mom being active as long as they are under our roof.
I think one of the biggest reasons I am choosing to do this is to encourage others to push themselves beyond what they may think is possible in their own lives. I have heard from so many people who say that they wish they could do this or that. Unfortunately, right after they tell me what they wish they could do, they list a ton of reasons why they can’t.
I hope that by me doing this race the same people who list all the reasons they can’t do something will start to look at the reasons they can do anything. I want them to see that no matter where you are, you are capable of so much more if you will just give yourself a chance or take the chance when it is given to you.
I guess the short answer to my friend’s question tonight of “Why are you doing this?” is this. I am doing this to show that the only limits that we have are the ones we place upon ourselves, whether it be competing in an Ironman or rolling off the couch and taking those first steps back to health. I am doing this to ensure that I leave a legacy of health and wellness for my sons, not one of fear, doubt, or what ifs. I am doing this to show that it’s not starting the race, it’s finishing it and learning lessons along the way.
Tonight a friends question gave me a great new perspective. Maybe it’s time that you join me in asking “Why are YOU doing this?”
