Be Patient. Be Brave.

           I’ve been pretty silent on here recently.  Not because I have nothing to say, but because I don’t really know how to say it.  I’ve been training, training, and training some more.  I’ve completed 2 70.3s and 1 full aquabike since the last time I logged on.  They all went great, each had some highs, and one of the 70.3s had some serious lows, but each one gave me a little more confidence than I had entering the water that day.  The aquabike being the most recent and being a huge confidence builder. 

            I have a little motto I've created for myself.  A mantra if you will: Be Patient. Be Brave.  These are the things I've been practicing these last few months because I know I will need to be patient and brave on November 2.  I've been patient, waiting for that day to arrive.  Waiting for my endurance to get to where it needs to be.  Waiting until the right mile of my run to drop the pace.  But I've also been brave, at least for me.  I've tried things I never thought I'd do in a million years.  I've ridden my bike farther than I ever thought possible.  I swam when the bay was all churned up and I continued swimming when my arms were covered in jellyfish stings.  I dropped the pace on runs when I didn't think I had it in me.  And all of these things I will keep in my mind and bring them up come race day.  Be Patient. Be Brave. 

            So instead of blogging right now, I’ve just been gathering my strength.  Putting the hours of training in the bank, and spending time with the people around me who have made this happen and who make me stronger.  I’ve kind of gone to this place inside of myself.  It’s a place where I’m comfortable, where I’m me, and where I can gather myself and get ready to finish this journey.  This journey I started over a year ago.

            And I can’t wait!  In less than one month, 13 months of training will begin to pay off as I enter the gulf.  I’ll get to swim, bike, and run my way through what I hope will be one of the most challenging, rewarding, and exciting days of my life.  I'm terrified but I'm also so excited.  I can’t wait to smile and wave at my family and friends on the sidelines, and say a little prayer of thanks for how lucky I am.  I am so thankful to be doing what I love, that I have the people I love around me, and that this journey has taught me more about myself and about life than I ever thought possible. 

          So, I'll probably just stay here for a while, in this little training space I've created for myself.  I'm so ready to get to Florida, but right now, I have to Be Patient.  


At the Chesapeakeman swim start.

Comments

  1. Awesome mantra! You are ready, and you will crush it November 2! My bf raced it last year… was a blast to spectate and sherpa :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks!! I'm so excited! Your encouragement along this journey has meant so much :)

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