I keep getting the repeated question from people I meet
(and that know me and the former larger me)…
Why are you doing the Ironman?
I even love the fact that some feel the need to remind me
of the distances involved. I mean really, I signed up on a whim and oh my I had
no idea!!!! Thanks for being my shining knight and bringing me to my post
training senses…clearly the boost of endorphins in my body post a swim/ride/run
caused a lapse in judgement…(actually this might be partially true….hmmmm!)
I do have a wry smile when I get to tell people he
distances involved and I watch their eyes get that little bit wider with each
leg…which is then always followed again by a repeat of the why?
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| Whhhaaaa.....you finish by running what??? |
Why not…try something new and adventurous and scary!
And that is not limited to my context here of the
Ironman. My beautiful wife and I have moved countries twice, bought and sold
houses and have been Blessed with two amazing children. We have had our ups and
downs along the way, sure but that is life.
I can promise you when we were sitting in our little (rented) one
bedroom flat in Zimbabwe (14 years ago!) we didn’t think “Why should we go to
the UK?” we were thinking “Why not go
to the UK.” And when we were sitting in our lounge looking at moving to Australia
again the question was more why not
rather than why. Sure, it was tough
and I know that I made mountains out of several molehills along the way but the
fundamental point remained….why not!
Everyone along the journey to their present place has had
the Why and Why Not moments. For some reason though our first reflex when we
talk to someone who is going outside of our perceived comfort zone is to
ask why.
“I am quite comfortable in my space so why
would you not be and why would you want to do more…”
I wonder if that isn’t it…we talk to someone who is doing
something to expand their own comfort zone and because that feels/sounds foreign
to us we feel the need to ask why…
For now though my response will continue to be:
“Why not give it a go and try! I want to show my sons
that you can change and you can accomplish goals that you are willing to commit
yourself to!”
On a less serious note….I did ask myself “why” on my ride
home this week, into the howling gale that was blowing up the freeway. I
managed to con my brain into thinking that I would be grateful for the wind
resistance training when it comes to the race in December….sucker!!!! Plus when
I did collapse on the driveway I managed to stop my timer and discover that I improved
by 4 mins over last weeks ride home! Woooooo!
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| Woooooooo!!! |
DG
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