Quick – name the last time you challenged yourself. No, eating 5 hot dogs at your last cook out does not count. Neither does seeing how far you can drive in your car with the gas warning light on. Challenges come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have a key ingredient: a challenge pushes you out of your comfort zone. Average Joe challenged himself early this year to race in a triathlon. That’s a pretty lofty goal for someone who began running last summer and had never run more than a 5K.
Most people who decide to race a triathlon have one central goal – to finish. Joe had the same goal. Once he decided on the race – an Olympic distance race in Kings Mountain known as ‘Over the Mountain triathlon’, he knew he better get a plan and fast. After a little research, Joe settled on a training plan he could build his schedule around. It was late February and the race was at the end of May, but Joe had taken a critical step – He began a training plan with specific goals and completion schedule. Progress is only made with a plan and persistence.
The training is the toughest part of the process. Most of the time, you are out there alone. It is very tempting to pedal slower, cut your run a little short, swim a few less laps or skip a workout all together. Of course, Joe would be the only one who knew. The question Average Joe kept asking himself during those moments of weakness: “Do you have what it takes?” Somehow, through the cold, wind, rain, injuries, and self-doubt that question kept Joe going. After several months of training, race day arrived. Average Joe was feeling a little overwhelmed. It seemed like everyone else knew exactly what to do, where to go, how to set up their equipment, and they all looked ready to race. Did Joe stick out like a sore thumb? Well, the bright pink swim cap the race organizers passed out to the ‘novice’ group surely didn’t help! Ten minutes before the horn blows to start the race, Joe’s heart was pounding like a bass drum and he was sweating while standing still. The horn sounds and we began swimming. Average Joe thought he was a fairly decent swimmer, but open water swimming is a whole different experience. The course was 1500 meters, but Joe probably swam 2000 meters because he couldn’t swim in a straight line. He had plenty of pink headed company – some people were hanging on boats, buoys and each other. In the swim section, Joe passed about a dozen other racers, so he was feeling pretty good as he made the transition to the bike phase.
Average Joe bought his bike in January and his riding skills are novice at best. I know this may shock you, but riding around Charlotte is quite different than riding in the mountains. Needless to say, all those people Joe passed in the water returned the favor on the bike. Average Joe was pedaling like Pokey Joe – but he didn’t stop. Riding alone has some advantages – you can scream as you pedal up a big hill and no one is bothered. For a brief time, Joe competed against a persistent butterfly – and almost had him beat – until that next big hill showed up. Oh well – Joe kept pedaling and grinding it out. 45 kilometers is a long way when you have mountains in the way!
Finally, the transition to the run phase arrived. Joe’s legs felt like cooked noodles, but he slipped on his running shoes and pressed on. The run route was a two loop 10K. As Joe was finishing his first lap, three other racers were cheering wildly – they had finished their race and were encouraging the other racers. Joe threw up a hand and thanked them, but he didn’t have the heart to tell them he was on his first lap. As Joe made it passed the water station on his second lap, a nice volunteer asked him if there was anyone else running behind Joe. That is probably not what the folks at the front of the pack hear from the gallery. Joe kept shuffling along, his pace was somewhere between a fast walk and a crawl.
Soon an image appeared on the horizon. Was it a mirage? Had Joe finally succumbed to the heat and exhaustion? No, it was the finish line! Average Joe had made it! For a few moments, the pain and weariness melted away and exhilaration took over. Average Joe had set a goal and accomplished that goal – and that feels pretty darn good! Throughout the process, Joe learned a lot about training, met many people with dreams of their own, and continued to expect more out of himself. Joe also can see the value of joining a training group for fellowship, advice and accountability. There are many such groups, you just need to find the one that works for you.
Triathletes often say that triathlons are addictive. They must be right – Average Joe has already signed up for two more! Hey – we all need a little challenge in our lives, right?
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