Mach3Multisport.com

Often I am of the mindset "I hate swimming, I hate biking, what am I doing here?" just moments before I plunge into a body of water and gasp my way through some event. So I began to ask myself a few questions. Can I drop out of IMAZ 08? Can I move to a city where no one knows me so I feel like less of a chicken? If I do drop out, how much money do I forfeit? Turns out, a lot.

But as I was reading the refund policies and information, I found myself wondering why I was even checking on this. Did I really not want to even try to finish? Is "DNF" okay with me as my first and only Ironman entry? Why the hell do I do triathlons anyway? I left the refund page open but left most of my questions unanswered.

As often happens, life handed me an answer a few nights later. In the midst of forty or so women milling around a running shoe store trading training tips, compliments, and race schedules, I started to remember why I love this sport.

At each Tucson TriGirls meeting and several running, swimming, and triathlon events a month, I get to surround myself with athletic, strong, sometimes overly chatty women who have not only race goals and accomplishments (many Ironman finishers in this bunch, including some Kona finishers), but a love of the sport. And just being around them, I begin to love the sport again.

I hear about travel plans and recruit for relay teams (Odyssey 07!) and listen about age-group wins and first times. I learn new things about old people and old things about new people, and I feel like I am part of a team. I begin to get excited again, to want to race. I begin to look forward to hopping into a pool at 5:45 a.m. on July 1^st and trying really, really hard to stay ahead of whoever starts at 5:46.  

So, lesson learned: When confidence is waning, or motivation is falling to an all-time low, find some people who absolutely love what they do. Their energy is contagious, their excitement palpable. It is like topping off at a motivation station for the race season ahead.

And my refund? Looks like Ironman will have to keep all of my entry fee, I want my chance to race next year.

Happy Training.

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