Prez Corner:
Problem Solving
Having a successful triathlon race is sometimes defined by how well you solve problems that you are faced with. Sometimes, those problems happen during a race. Flat tire, broken google strap, lost shoe in transition, dropped nutrition … on and on. Sometimes, those problems happen during training. Strained muscle, broken bone, lack of time to train, … COVID-19.
Here we are almost half way through 2020 and no races. I sincerely hope you, your family, and your friends are all doing well and are healthy. Whether or not we race in 2020 is insignificant when considering the global pandemic and public health. That being said, I’m going to focus on triathlon here – because triathlon is a way of life and it is a part of life that we can control.
It is easy to lose focus on training for triathlon when there are no races in sight on the calendar. As much as I enjoy training, I have struggled more than I thought I would when I do not have a race on the calendar. Or, I have some races still scheduled – but it is not clear if they are going to happen. That lack of clarity, that unknown, is hard to handle.
Typically, I like to train alone … that’s just the way I’m built. But it is amazing to me how much I miss the interactions with others … passing each other on a bike ride or run, saying hello at the swim pool, or seeing each other at races.
Problem solve. How do we continue to train effectively, how do we continue to live the ‘triathlon life’ in a healthy way? How do we connect so that we can encourage and support each other?
As a club, we are trying to continue to engage people as much as possible virtually. We are having ‘Sports Science’ video conversations, ‘Member Spotlight’ video conversations, Zoom ‘Happy Hours’, … it is really important to at least connect virtually with each other. Please jump in on a zoom call or follow one of our live streams on facebook. We are also looking at starting a virtual training event – something unique!
Your training program is likely all off schedule. No more ’12 weeks to the next event’ type messages! Problem solve. What can you do that will help your next race – is this the time to focus on flexibility, core strength, fixing your bike, organizing your gear …? Maybe this is the time to back off serious training and include some other types of activities like reading, playing an instrument, meditation, jigsaw puzzles, foosball (really?!), or drawing/painting.
Think back to your races – what problems did you have to solve to reach the finish line?
Hold on to that tenacity … that grit … that gift to find a solution that you have. Keep moving forward.
Problem solve …. focus on what you can control … keep striving to improve … know that what we do today will help us tomorrow.
~John Mercer
