TriAptitude Coaching

So, I have been thinking long and hard for many months about what comes after this year for me.  Triathlon has become a big part of my life and a rewarding journey in many ways for me. It has provided me with a new sense of who I am as a woman in her 40s, a renewed sense of self-confidence which I had lost many years ago as a young lady, a hobby that I love for the sheer challenge and excitement of the sport, the ability to lend myself as a role model in the community to help foster the love for this sport with women and young girls alike, and ultimately it has provided me with a rewarding and inspiring career in coaching which has brought much joy to my heart. But, there are honestly moments when I wonder if I am balancing life well enough.  As I am sure is true with many people my age, you get those middle age “wonders”- am I on the right path?; Am I giving enough of myself to others in a way that is meaningful and true to who I am and the person I want to be?; Will my children think back to their childhood and think, “Wow, my Mom and Dad did a great job raising us and making sure we felt safe and loved.”?, and, of course, the eternal mid-life crisis- What could I be doing differently which might have made me happier and more fulfilled as a wife, mother, woman?

Let’s talk about love and passion. It is the fuel for life.  Surrounding yourself with the positivity of love is a life sustaining force in this world.  Finding your passion in life will motivate you and inspire you to follow your dreams and become a happier, healthier, more loving you.  They go hand in hand.  But, of course, as with anything, there needs to be a balance between love and passion in all areas of our lives. If we over focus on one aspect of our life, then the love and passion can drain away from other important parts of who we are.  I am struggling with this right now.  How do I make sure that I can balance everything I want to be and the ways with which I try to be that person to everyone I love without draining myself to the point of failing completely?  Good question, I think. And one which I have been contemplating for the past six months.

Balance, harmony, equilibrium. Many of us struggle to find it for our entire lives.  Others find it for a brief period of time but then lose it.  Some do a phenomenal job of finding it and keeping it and exceling at it.  It is a life challenge in and of itself.  I personally view it as a moving target- at least for me. Sometimes, I am great about finding the balance. But, there are so may moving parts in our life that it never lasts for long.  So, something has to give a bit. And, for me, I have come to the realization that it needs to be some racing.  I have had the incredible honor to qualify for several exciting races this year on a world championship level.  These are experiences which I never thought I would have and ones which I am so very excited and thankful to be a part of in 2017. But, with those events come a lot of training, recovery, traveling, expenses, time away from family and feelings of guilt when I am away from my family.  So, I am working through all of that right now and trying to focus on all of these incredible opportunities but also working through my ideas of how I can use these opportunities to bring something even better to the table than simply a race finishing time.  So, I have been dedicating these races and my training to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I want to make them something bigger than myself and more than simply an individual achievement. I want them to be about using a remarkable experience to do something even more remarkable for people who need help.

So, now I am 13 days out from racing Ironman Costa Rica 70.3.  We leave in 9 days.  There’s a lot to get done in the next week before we get on that plane to Liberia, Costa Rica.  My bike has been shipped and it is currently in a container on a ship somewhere heading to Central America.  My gear bag is packed for the most part.  I now have three sons to rally to get all of their gear packed as well.  In the next week, I have two days of run coaching certification classes, one 12th birthday for my son Matthew, a day of volunteering on the Ironman Boulder race course and two days of my husband traveling for work- and then, we have a flight to catch as a family to Costa Rica.  It is all very exciting…..and a bit stressful to be honest.  I know that this will be an adventure of a lifetime, so I am focusing on that thought as I work through my panic a bit.  Balance, breathe, relax, love, passion, adventure, live through experience. Love.

I’ll be back soon to write more….but I have dinner to finish, laundry to do, and training plans to write 😉  More tomorrow, my friends. Oh, and if anyone knows the answer to my post title up above, please please please post for me in the comments 🙂