Excerpt from the IronGuides newsletter, november 2009

Triathlon is a sport of endurance, defined as the ability to withstand sustained hardship or stress. It is the state of persevering, which means persisting in anything undertaken and maintaining a purpose in spite of difficulty.

Being a triathlete is a choice. We participate because we enjoy it – while at times we may struggle, it’s hardly a hardship.

Done right, our sport does show us what we are made of and how we can show true endurance when it is needed elsewhere in our lives. But so often one’s initial thoughts after finishing a race – even when a Personal Best has been achieved – turn to how can I go faster?

That’s important: striving to improve helps us make the most of life, and many of us are capable of performing at a higher level. But we also have to make sure that we celebrate our accomplishments, no matter what happened. We should neither dismiss a PB nor languish in self-pity over a perceived missed opportunity. There is always going to be another race and, like life, triathlon is also about the journey.

One of the best things we can do for ourselves in life is to Show Up. Choose to train, choose to start a race and choose a healthy and active lifestyle. Many people are in the position to make that choice. Just making that effort often is half the battle of overcoming inertia and taking a step in the direction of something new, improved.

Triathletes tend to be ambitious people. We are always looking to push ahead. That’s a great quality and one that most likely got us into the sport in the first place. But it also often means that we are hard on ourselves and tend to think that we could have done or should do better.

We can’t wait to aim for the next Personal Best. You know so many people who race triathlons and you know so many triathletes who are better and faster than you. Your results are important, whether it is improving our Personal Records, chasing the age group placing or aiming for the overall top spot. But in the bigger scheme of things you are part of a tiny percentage of the population who is willing and able to simply start and finish a triathlon. And that’s pretty special.

As you’re enjoying your offseason in the Northern Hemisphere or have just started the race season in the Southern Hemisphere take the time to give yourself a pat on the back. Celebrate your choice to be a triathlete. Recognize your daily commitment to training and to leading an active lifestyle — cherish your courage to sign up for a race and to show up at that start line on race day.

Enjoy Your Race!