Completed a tri...

This past Saturday I completed my first triathlon. It was a good experience, unlike my marathon at the beginning of last year. I was high-stepping through the finish line and smiling alot, as opposed to walking and scowling. It got me to thinking that I will probably compete in more of these types of competitions. For a complete photographic synopsis of my experience, please see the joint blog.

Over the past week, upon finishing, it has given me some ideas about life in general. While I was training for the marathon, I would run. That doesn't seem like a very profound statement, but for those of us that have run marathons it means alot. To run, and only run, everyday for months to prepare for something that you may or may not complete is difficult mentally and physically. I remember running and stopping at our apartment to get some fuel bars and then continuing to run. In retrospect, it was a feat of the mind as much as it was of the body.

A Triathlon is something completely different. You must train for three different disciplines and then be able to compete in each of them consecutively. The months that I took to train for this race was much more enjoyable and exciting. I would swim on certain days, and bike and run on others. To split up the monotony of the training was much appreciated...in my mind. The physicality of the race was similar to that of a marathon, but the mental preparation was completely different.

I have discovered something about myself through these experiences. I am able to push myself through difficulty, trials, and tough times, even when I am unsure of the ultimate outcome. Although I have the goal, it is difficult for me to focus solely on one subject for some time. My target needs to be on moderation in all things. I truly found joy in the experience that kept my mind and actions in such a state.