Prez Corner:
Thoughtful notes from a fearless LVTC leader.
Adversity
We all want to have that ‘perfect race’. That race where everything just comes together … the swim is perfect conditions, the bike is paced perfectly, and the run feels like it is downhill all the way. But that happens so infrequently – there are so many things that can go wrong during a race (or right before the race). Goggle strap snaps, wetsuit zipper gets jammed, swimming into the sun and can’t navigate, flat tire, broken spoke, chain drop, lost running shoe, wrong turn, lost nutrition, nausea, cramping, … the list goes on and on of things that can go wrong during a race!
How do you deal with adversity? Whether it is a mechanical issue, logistic issue, nutrition, or something else – you have to prepare yourself to bring your focus back to the race when you are faced with adversity. The feeling of accomplishment can be so much greater when you recognize that you overcame so much adversity during a race.
Maybe the adversity is an injury leading up to the start of a race. Without sounding too much ‘doom and gloom’ … we’ll all end up with some type of injury at some point during our training.
Can you shift your focus away from the injury to work on something else that will still move your training forward? For example, if you can’t run, maybe you focus on organizing gear, or logistics for the next race, or reviewing your training program leading up to the injury. Focusing on something positive will help keep your training program moving forward.
Finally, there are times when it is best to step out of a race or not even toe the start line because of adversity. These are tough decisions – but they happen. When you have a DNS (did not start) or DNF (did not finish), you can use these situations in a way to mature as a triathlete. It can help highlight that when you start, when you finish – regardless of time or place – that is a great achievement.
Every race should be celebrated – sometimes you celebrate the ‘perfect race’. Sometimes you celebrate the adversity that you overcame. But celebrate. Enjoy. Triathlon is a fantastic sport that you can be part of for a long time when you take the time to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments.
~John Mercer
