“Be Strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
As a runner and as a triathlete, it takes months of training, time, energy, grit, and determination to put in the work to compete with the elite. Personally, I do it for fun! I love thee challenge, the drive, the mental toughness it brings, but what I love the most is running across the finish line and telling myself I did it. Then looking for my next big race to compete in.
The mental toughness is built overtime, it is earned not given. You do not wake one day and become a champion; you train yourself to be the best and you put in the work day in and day out.
The very first time I did a triathlon, I’m at the starting line looking at the water and I was saying, “Oh man, what have I done!” I trained, but I really didn’t train that much. I kept saying over and over again “God is my strength, I can do this!” At one moment on the lake, a lifeguard asked me if I was okay, as I wasn’t swimming, I was doggie paddling and just praying I didn’t drown. Imagine all these people watching and you just happened to be the one to sink and now you are the memory of the race. That was not going to be me on my worst or best day. So I fought, and kept quoting scripture in my head over and over.
After you put in all of the hard work, the best part is getting the hardware.
All this to be said that in the midst of going through the hardest trials of a triathlon, lots of crazy things go through your head. I often think:
- I’m crazy.
- I hope I survive.
- How much longer do I have?
- I hope they have some food at the end and not just a piece of bread.
- I should have trained harder.
- im going to pass that girl.
- Lord. Give me strength .
- I’m never doing this again.
- Oh my. I can see the finish line.
- Oh yea!! I’m bad. Woohoo. Run. Don’t let them know you’re dying inside. Smile. Because you survived.
- I did it!
As those thoughts go through my head over and over, I’m reminded that God is my strength, he is with me no matter what. He created me in his image and he knew I was going to have an adventurous spirit in my mother’s womb.
The trials we face, the obstacles we overcome, allow us to see our strength, teach us to draw closer to God and help us appreciate the little things.
Whether you are doing your first triathlon or first race, know that God is with you through the storm. Keep pressing forward and believe God is on your side, even when you can’t feel that he’s working.
Find your adventure and enjoy the journey!
Blessings,
Doc J
fixyoureyesonjesusblog 