There was a time when the race season would be over by now. The world has gotten smaller. There are races of all kinds year ‘round. What we still have are special races, markers that to some extent signify the end of the season. In cycling that would be the World Championships, many days of races in every conceivable format. In triathlon we have Kona, a race steeped in tradition and considered by most to be the pinnacle of triathlon achievement.
This is a good time to reflect, to look back over the year and acknowledge both our accomplishments and the many ways others have contributed to our success. There is no shortage of bad news. Our headlines are filled with stories about war, famine, earthquakes, and mass shootings. Spend some time this season pushing all that noise aside and focusing on the good news, whatever that may be. What have you accomplished? How did you help others achieve their goals? Shift your focus away from outcomes and look at process.
Personally, I am not a great athlete. I consider myself a back-of-the-packer. Sure it would be satisfying to win something, but if that was how I were to define success I would soon stop trying. What counts is the day-to-day stuff, and I find a great deal of joy in getting out there every single day. I do my best to prepare to race, and I only race against myself. Some races go well, some don’t. Again, don’t get stuck looking at outcomes.
One thing I am truly grateful for is health. I admit I have challenges. I am not going to list them all here! My point is, I can still swim, bike, and run.
This was the year we figured out my heart thing. I am still uncertain what impact it has. Perhaps next year will shed more light on that mystery. Next up for me is cataract surgery, which means I’ll be able wear cool looking swim goggles. I might even take up surfing!
As we age, health issues will be inevitable. Our goal should be to manage them as best we can and remain active, even if that means the form of our activity needs to change. This can be hard on athletes and musicians, because we spend years – our lives – attached to that identity. If you find yourself in this position, reflect on how far you have come and set new goals to work toward. Consider teaching, coaching, mentoring, even volunteering at races. A good attitude should be in the sweet spot between aging gracefully and going down fighting.
Regardless of your musical or athletic activity, one thing you can do is call someone. We live now in a world of Email and texting. Can you even find the phone icon on your smartphone? Dust it off and call someone.