Been training methodically, working with a coach. She says run faster, I try to run faster. She says bike that hill five times, I do it. Intense.
Yoga tells me to rename pain "sensation," breath into working muscles, relax those less involved, use the mind. The biggest lesson I've learned so far: I can suffer and recover.
My Olympic distance tri is in two weeks.
May 31, 2012
Just heard a clip from one of the Star Wars films:
"There is no try. Do or do not." Yoda
Someone recently told me there's no such thing as trying. You either do it or you don't. "Try" to pick up a pen.
ReplyDeleteNot so sure I believe this — sometimes I think I really am trying — but maybe not.
"Try" is a word to shows my lack of confidence. Can I run faster? I will "try." You're right, Andrea, if instead I say "I will" then I am accountable. That's a scary responsibility.
ReplyDeleteAll along in this training I have been doing my best -- doing one's best is a big goal, there's no faking it. But as race day approaches, an imp of doubt has crept in. Will I do my best? To do my best requires constant reinvestment in the effort. For me this takes mental focus, desire, willingness to suffer.
My coach tells me the difference between a winner and a non-winner is giving the last ten percent. For me, that ten percent is the difference between a satisfying, hard effort, and the more painful state when the body is on the edge of anaerobic and the mind tells it to stay there. There is suffering.
This all sounds too serious for a fun little small-town triathlon. But perhaps it's when the physical gets pushed the the brink that we discover what can the mind can do. This may be why I try -- or rather, why I DO. (gulp, did I say that?)
Maybe it's a matter of wanting rather than trying. If it's something you really want, you will do it. What is your purpose? Do you want to win, even if it involves suffering? Does doing your best mean you must win? Or does doing your best mean you compete to your best ability without suffering? This will be answered differently by each competitor, and the answer may change during different points of the competition. For some, improving on their last race will be the goal, for others, only winning will be the goal. I think you want to win! But there's no shame in doing your best, whatever definition comes into play.
ReplyDeleteI think you've hit it bang on the head.
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