Becoming a Triathlete: Lessons That Apply Beyond the Race
What training for my first triathlons taught me about identity, fuel, courage, and pushing my limits in sport, parenting, and life.
Age 0-31: 0 Triathlons
Age 32: 2 Triathlons (Sprint, Olympic)
Age 33+: ???
I’m just so glad I signed up.
Much like deciding to get back into tennis this year, I could have easily not done this. Having a baby in the house could have been a reason not to do this (or any number of things), but the beauty is that it can also be a great reason to do something.
I want to show her what’s possible, that we not only think it’s okay, but that we encourage trying new things, and that there can be strength and growth even when you come up short of your goal.
And I want to continue to push the boundaries of what I’m capable of. No matter what it is, I maintain the growth mindset* and know that if I put effort and intention towards a thing, I can become better at it. To me, that’s exciting.
Triathlete or not, here are some lessons I learned that we can all take into the rest of our life:
The Importance of Identity
You may have noticed in the title it says “...Becoming a Triathlete” and not “Signing Up for a Race, Not Really Training, and Hoping for the Best.”
There’s a difference.
In Atomic Habits† James Clear defines identity as repeated beingness. When I was willing to assume the identity of a triathlete, I had the encouraging pressure to consider who I was repeatedly being — was it that of a triathlete or that of someone not really applying themselves?
Taking on this identity helped me create a strong foundational frame of reference through which I was able to base my decisions.
It allowed me to answer in the best way possible when I might ask questions like: How would a Triathlete...
- train when they don’t feel like it?
- fuel in the days before a race?
- prepare for a race the night before?
When your decision-making is based on a strong identity coherent with who you want to become, then the doing, the hard work, becomes easier.
But this shift in Identity would have never happened if I hadn’t signed up, which leads us to...
Put Your Name on a Line
There are at least two types of people (in our household, anyway). Those who like to start training before they sign up for a race or competition and those who need to sign up in order to start training.
I’m the latter. My wife the wiser. (Go figure!)
It doesn’t matter which you are, what matters is that you know (or figure out) what works for you.
But just get started.
Whether getting started for you means jogging those first few steps, writing those first few words, or putting your name on a (registration) line, do it!
And no matter your endeavor, remember...
The Importance of Fuel
What we put into our body matters.
Duh, right?
Well yes, but it’s when we are most challenged that we quickly learn how well we fuel.
I learned this most pressingly when, during the second half of the run portion of my Olympic triathlon, I had to slow down and do everything in my power to ensure my quads didn’t cramp.
That’s not where I wanted to be.
When my body can’t meet the moment, whether in a triathlon, tennis, or just showing up as present as I’d like to, it’s often the result of a suboptimal fueling decision.
But these realizations are not the time for shame or blame, but instead curiosity.
Most recently, during an epically long singles tennis match, I had the opportunity to get curious about what it would have looked like to have fueled more appropriately so that I could have met the moment and my level of competitiveness with what I actually needed to show up at my best.
So those times when you may wake up with no energy, or you just don’t feel good after a meal, or your body or mind aren’t quite where you want them to be operating, just bring that curiosity to how you might make a slightly better decision next time.
The results of bringing that curiosity consistently, and simply aiming to make a better decision are enough to create a sense of momentum and confidence that can help you spiral up into your next best level of energy.
And when any (or all) of the above may go off the rails, remember...
The Power of Community
There’s an aliveness to race day. Knowing I’m going to be out there with others who live for this, who have been competing for years (or decades) is just a joy and so inspiring.
Their love for challenging themselves brings more out of me than I would otherwise have, and that’s the power of community.
And it’s also a community that lifts you up when you’re struggling. Like above when I mentioned my fight against my nearly cramping quads? As I stood awkwardly in pain, every and, I mean every person who passed me asked if they could help.
“Do you need anything?” “Want some salt?” “Are you okay?”
It was a beautiful reminder that, no matter what you may see online, no matter what divisiveness is being promoted, we care for each other. There’s massive amounts of love we have for each other and humanity, and sometimes, we just need to tap back into it.
Whether you need to sign up in advance to get started, or whether what you sign up for is a triathlon or not, I ask:
What courageous step do you need to take today?
What’s that thing, like doing a triathlon or playing tennis has been for me, that’s just calling to you?
Honor that. Lean in.
And let’s go.
* The growth mindset (vis-a-vis the fixed mindset) is a BIG idea, and one I’m already aiming to impart to Maeve. To get the download on that idea and more, check out this Philosopher’s Note on Mindset by Carol Dweck.
† I got this big idea from a different Philosopher’s Note. You can check the five big ideas from Atomic Habits by James Clear, for free, here.