Wednesday night workout and a general thought

Running after works is probably one of my least favourite things to do. However getting treated to sunsets and views like the above while running Yasso's at the local high school sort of make up for it.

The workout gave me lots of time to think though and I realized triathlon is hard. Earth shattering revelation right! It takes a certain kind of person to want to swim, bike and then run at all let alone at some of the distances people race. Sometimes we forgot though all the other challenges that go into getting to the start line. Lately I’ve had to face some of them and it’s caused me to more greatly admire those who do make it to the start line and understand what keeps some from getting there.

Everyone faces some of the same challenges when it comes to getting to the start line, though everyone faces them in uniquely differing amounts. For some, getting the early swim in before work is a welcome thought while for others its a mountain of an obstacle. For some its a lack of knowledge, technical or otherwise. Sometimes just finding safe places to run and bike is a challenge, particularly at some of the longer distances. For many I would suspect, money is a primary challenge. From race fee’s to equipment to nutrition to everything else, the costs add up fast.

That’s why this weekend as the ITU gets ready to throw down in Chicago I’m going to sit back and appreciate the efforts of the athletes there. From the pro’s to the age groupers, everyone has stood up to their particular challenges and refused to allow them to stop them in the pursuit of their goal. As I look to a way to fund a new crankset/power meter; a bike trainer; the multiple entry fee’s I anticipate coming due in the next few months for next season’s races; as I try to find the balance in training and being a good dad and husband, I’m going to smile each athlete and think to myself “well done”.

To steal a line from a recent Ironman Instagram post I saw this week, “I tri because you either give up on your dreams or you choose to realize them.”

Run it out!