I’ve been an athlete for as long as I can remember.
Some of my fondest memories growing up were of playing sports. Countless hours were spent playing home run derby in the back yard, or pickup football outside of my house. Being an athlete is something that is in my blood, something I will always be no matter how old I am or what sort of physical shape I am in.
My love of sports prepared me for the tough life ahead of me. It taught me numerous skills to overcome adversity, to keep going when all seemed hopeless, and to push myself to heights I never thought were possible.
I decided this year I’d try something different. Along with getting into Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) I decided that I would begin to train for an Ironman triathalon. I firmly believe that you cannot coach yourself, and thanks to the great advice from Sarah Stanley so I brought on Jeff Kline (@coachprs) to help me with this incredible challenge.
After chatting him up for a few minutes on the phone and explaining me, he tossed out the challenge that he’ll have me running a full Ironman by Summer 2011.
My response…
BRING IT.
The challenge for me is as much mental as it is physical. I haven’t set forth on a specific training regimen since high school. The goal for me is to be able to push myself to the limit, and figure out how to go that step extra that makes me succeed. Since I already know how to push myself to the limit in soccer, basketball, etc I decided it was time to move on, and triathlons are my next step.
Today’s pic is me before heading out for a run. Look out world, here I come.
What have you learned from sports or pushing your body to the limit?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Some say I’m a little competitive sometimes.
Really, what sports instilled in me is that you can ALWAYS be doing something to improve yourself. As I’ve said before, a life without motion in complete stagnant settlement, is a sad life to live (at least for me.) If I could run a mile in 7 mins then why not try for 6? If I could play a wing why not try for center? If I could sprint a 40 why not try for 100? Always pushing, always learning, always growing.
Sometimes I didn’t meet my goals. Sometimes it was a horrible mess (I have torn ligaments in my ankle to prove that one.) But at the end of every game/meet/match, whether there was a win or a loss, I could go home knowing that I had given it as much of me as I had. As long as I always did that, no one could ever ask for anything more.
That has most DEFINITELY followed me into adult life and the business world. Sometimes I’m intense, sometimes I’m too analytical and drive oriented. But I expect it of myself, and really expect it of the others on my team. I would never get angry at someone for not accomplishing something. But I will get pissed if you don’t even try.
Such a great comment Elisa. I’ve got torn ligaments, elbows with broken bone chips, and all sorts of other injuries, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
For me the transition from the field to the business world was much more difficult than I would have imagined, but with this new goal in my life, the transition will be complete!
“I would never get angry at someone for not accomplishing something. But I will get pissed if you don’t even try.”
-Exactly! Not trying is the worst thing you can do. By far!