As I go into marathon #2, I have been challenged to contemplate what defines me. A friend of mine is working through a reoccurring/lingering injury, and has an endurance duathlon this weekend. She was talking to a {non-athlete} friend, and she said, "Nicki, it's ok if you aren't able to participate this weekend, doing triathlons isn't what defines you." I would say that statement has some validity to it, but as athletes we are defined by what it takes to be an athlete! I am NOT defined by having the title of runner, triathlete or marathoner {or by the time/speed in which I accomplish all of those}....but I AM defined by what it takes to earn those titles. I am a firm believer that anyone {with the exception of those with physical limitations} can run, do a triathlon, and complete marathon...but you have to WANT it! The race is not the time it takes you to get from the start line to finish line, rather it starts the second you sign-up and make the commitment to do the event! It takes dedication & commitment to stick to a training plan, a willingness to make sacrifices in order to make time for the training, & perseverance to overcome obstacles that WILL arise {injury, schedule/time conflicts, weather, lack of motivation...just to name a few}
I am a runner, triathlete & marathoner, but more importantly...
I am DEDICATED
I am COMMITTED
I am PASSIONATE
I am STRONG
I am FOCUSED
I am CONFIDENT
I am MOTIVATED
I am DRIVEN
I am COURAGEOUS
Yes, the marathon is going to be challenging, but so has everything else been leading up to the marathon! And yes, Nicki will compete on Saturday {not in the stupid-get-more-injured kind of way, but she will cross the finish line}! We both know what it takes to get to the finish line, and no matter what the numbers on the clock read, we will both be proud of a FINISH! There is victory in the finish!
Great post!! It does take lots of dedication and hard work to even get to race day and only the ones who have persevered to the end of the race know this :) have a blessed race Holly, may you feel Gods presence with you every step of the race :)
ReplyDeleteThanks lady, it was a great race! Although it was slow & steady, I enjoyed every minute, and praised God & leaned on him for strength every step of the way!
DeleteHolly you are AWESOME. I am so proud of your PR yesterday!!!!! When is the next marathon now? :-)
ReplyDeleteI have been hovering around the 2hr mark on my half for a while, so I have decided I will sign-up for marathon #3 as soon as I go sub-2, which will hopefully be in September {no halfs before then}!
DeleteIt's funny, because I've always felt that being a snowboarder defines me. It's not about the snowboarding, it's about the culture surrounding snowboarding. Snowboarders are super adventurous, always looking for something fun to do, living on adrenaline, and completely passionate. I remember someone once saying to me, "That's what you do, not who you are." It threw me for a loop, because what I do is how I define who I am! We show our true colors in our actions, and to me, it just makes sense!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's easy to get caught up in all those definitions and identities... I love your spin on it. I look forward to hearing about your second full!
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