What Get’s Us Across the Line

October 29, 2012 Devotion  2 comments

On this new site; Ironmanfaith I will be reposting several articles I wrote on my other blog DoxA and well as past race reports. I will do this bit by bit and over time should have most of those postings here. Ocassionally there will be new, original posts as well. But for now here’s a post that applies to all of us…

It’s the same thing that gets us up in the morning. It’s a doubt, perhaps fear, within one’s mind of personal limits. It’s a destination never been. It’s an accomplishment to impress others if asked. It’s a disruption of the mundane routine of life… it’s not the start of the race but rather the finish for which we strive.

But what if the finish has become too common or mundane itself? What gets us across the line?

I have competed in triathlon now for eleven years. The first race I did was a short “sprint” race at Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA. With 20some guys in my age group I took 4th. I was wearing a ridiculous skin suit that was given to me which was probably used in the 80’s. Some folks actually commented on the “retro” look. I didn’t care. The next race was San Diego International; a popular race that brings out many of the local pros racing for pride. In that race, your bike is positioned in transition by age group. When I finished the swim my bike was the last one on the racks, when I finished the bike… my bike was the first one on the rack. Although I finished 12th in my AG, having been run down by a dozen guys, I had the 4th fastest bike split of the day! My next race… a full Olympic distance race on Camp Pendleton, where in the middle of the ocean, amid massive swells, I got kicked hard in the eye! I saw stars, my eye-socket swelled up and I had to keep clearing my goggles just to get to the shore. Trying to look professional and cool in that race I had heard it’s faster to take your shoes off while riding into T2. I started the process a little early, accidentally unclipped my right shoe and lost it along the road while avoiding a nasty crash into spectators… I looked anything BUT cool.

Since those days racing has settled into a somewhat predictable experience. I mainly race long course races because my weekends are limited; being a pastor (most races are on Sunday). Eleven years later, races come and go.

Someone once told me regarding a race I was about to do, “Oh, you can do that race in your sleep!”

Well, I’m not worried anymore about finishing. I’m just worried about being too casual. You see, the challenge, the newness, the novelty, the purpose, those things no longer exist. To say I don’t care about a race would be untrue. I do care about every race. But to say I don’t care what happens is true because it’s just another day. But then again… not really. On race day, it will be whatever I want it to be. I will predetermine through as much mental training what the day will be because I choose to think of it as just a day or a race. Whether I am physically ready or not won’t matter; what will, is my mindset going in. I have seen many, including myself, start a race physically in tiptop shape and have a horrible race. I have also seen several, including myself, start a race under trained, yet so excited to be there, end up having an amazing finish!

What gets us across the line… isn’t just our arms, lungs and legs. Those things get us across the line faster. What gets us across the line (period) Is in our heads. So, now in the off-season, I’m going to do a little mental training. I know I can, I know I can… but I’m going to appreciate my life; my freedom, my health, my family and friends who look to me for some inspiration, my stuff, my past, my future, my present. I’m going to…

Fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all I learned and received… Holy Bible : New Living Translation. “Text edition”–Spine. (2nd ed.) (Php 4:8-9). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

2 comments to What Get’s Us Across the Line

  • captphrede says:

    Wow, I am so glad I am taking the time to read these articles. I’m still in the newness stage mostly as far as Tri goes. I am getting ready to launch into triathlon in the new year, so that’s where my mind is going. I have run several endurance runs this year; SF WIPRO Marathon and several half marathon local trail races. It’s no longer so new, so I understand your thoughts and feelings on this Dan. I am emulating you by racing for charity. This last week I started in a pancreatic cancer network to raise funds for that charity, and yesterday completed the half marathon trail run for which I wanted to raise money. $320.00 was raised! Not a lot, but a start! So Pastor Dan sir, your example has me excited about all of this, and my mind goes to other charities and potential races.

    Yesterday when I ran the Coyote Lake Trail run, it was really really hard, and steep, and clay sticking to the soles of the shoes, and muddy. The hills were long arduous steep climbs with numerous deep horse hoof holes. It helps that I have trained hills and that I have trained my mind to say “I love hills, I love hills, I love hills” But the truth is that it was HARD, and raising money for charity and thinking of your friends that donated, really spurs me on.

    Dan, be encouraged sir! You set a wonderful example (which I’m sure you hear a lot, and probably get tired of hearing) I thank you for that, I was kinda just going mile after mile, driven by a key that was turned on inside my soul when I watched the life expire from my dad after a 3 month tortuous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. You’ve helped it all come together better for me, that triathlon does not have to be all about me, no sir, but about others lives being touched for the good. God has pointed me here, of this I have no doubt. One of these days Dan, let’s go for a ride!

    • Dan says:

      Just remember it’s a marathon not a sprint… literally! this metaphor often is used to keep us patient when attempting things worthwhile. However, along the journey of endurance sports there are many things that arise that’ll try to get you to give up. Measurable progress over reasonable time is the best expectation.

      Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I look forward to the time we can chat out there on the road!

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