In 2013,
- I ran my first half Ironman.
- I placed first in my age group in an open water swim.
- I ran the whole way in a half marathon for the first time.
- I broke through my 30 minute 5k barrier - TWICE!
I want 2014 to be a year in which I stretch. A year where I push myself to be faster and stronger. I've picked races that will be the back drop for this goal. There will be lots of hard and long training to meet this goal. I will need mental strength to get me past the times when I'm sick of being sore. I will need mental strength to keep me making the right/good choices when I'm tired and want to quit. I will need mental strength to keep me from whining when the workouts make me want to puke since this is my choice to do. To embody this mental strength, I'm going to employ a mantra this year.
Those on twitter and facebook already know my mantra for the year - Buckle up (and probably sick of it). But, you might not know why.
I could have used Macca's "Embrace the suck". I guess you can interpret it differently but, I see it as you are the victim of the suck. I see it as taking away your power. I wanted something to give me power when I needed it.
I could have used Bobby McGee's "There you are. I've been waiting for you". Closer. With this, the pain becomes your companion. This doesn't take anything away from you but, pain is never your friend. I wanted something that acknowledged the adversarial role that pain plays.
Facing the pain (aka discomfort) as I push myself in a race is what I need to do to meet my goals. It's like a bull rider that needs to draw the biggest and meanest bull in the show so that he gets the most points... and the most risk of pain. It's like being on a huge roller coaster as you reach that first peak and fear floods your body. We've chosen racing as our adventure. I wanted to take ownership of that. What do you do when you find yourself on the bull and the gate is about to open?
Buckle Up!
