I received an email last week from a fellow triathlete and writer, Stefanie, who basically smacked me in the face. She had emailed me in response to a post where I said, “I still very much consider myself a beginner triathlete, because I don’t think I’ll feel legit until I can run at a reasonable pace”…. well, she called me out.
And she did it very respectfully, in a private message, and it made me think about my attitude. I have finished several sprint triathlons, two Olympic races, a handful of 5k and 10k races, a stand-alone half-marathon, and then a 70.3….all in a year and half…
My question for me: When am I going to believe that I am an athlete? Not just an athlete…but a triathlete? And a legit triathlete?
My question for you: What are you holding back? What are you failing to believe about yourself? And why?
I have such ridiculous issues when it comes to my body and my abilities. Yes, I run slower than I would like. But so what?? During the 70.3, I did not doubt that I would finish the race —- I just acknowledged that it might (really) hurt and (really, really) suck, and I might finish last. But then it happened – I finished. But now, six months later, I break my foot and am feeling ugly, fat and slow… so I question my “legitness.” And I discount the entire year of work I put in to reach 70.3, by calling myself non-legit.
That is stupid. And I appreciate Stefanie making me think a little….
So..what am I saying? First, I want you to listen to me, and do as I say… not as I think!
Stand tall, and be too legit to… okay, I’ll just leave that one alone.
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| Awesome new book. Thanks to AnotherMotherRunner.com |
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| Hoppy Easter! |
I totally understand. I felt like a faker when someone called me a triathlete until just a few weeks ago, when training for my first 70.3 reached its peak. I finally believe that I belong here, and that's a wonderful, freeing feeling. I hope you find it soon.
A surgeon I work with asked me a few friday's ago what I was doing for the weekend. I said "oh, a little training, swim, bike and running." And she said to me, "oh, you're a triathlete?" I looked at her and said "well, I guess I can honestly say yes to that. No one has ever called me that or said that to me before, but why yes, yes I am a TRIATHLETE!!!" and you know what? It felt so good!!!!!!!! I am and not matter how slow I run I am a triathlete! Look out world! Here I come! Thanks Mer!
Right there with ya. I'm very proud of my accomplishments, but I do not consider myself an "athlete" either. I feel like athletes are good at sports, and I'm just busting my butt to be out there.
After my first ever triathlon, I went right to the tattoo shop and got the logo from the event along with the date and my time tattooed on my leg. Now, I could say; "well, it was only a sprint distance", but I don't and I won't because I remember how I felt weighing over 300lbs not that long ago to how I felt when I got that "3rd place for my AG" ribbon placed around my neck!
I have only done sprint triathlons, but none the less-they are triathlons and they are things others can only dream of doing! If I were you, I would definitely be gloating and bragging!!!!
In my book you are very much a triathlete! Don't question that at all! You are also a very helpful triathlete to those of us who aren't yet!
Thanks for the reminder! I feel like I am often qualifying my races or events with things like "I ran a half marathon but it wasn't fast or I walked a bit" or "yeah I've done a triathlon but it was just a sprint". But no one needs to qualify those statements. I read several blogs of people who are marathonones or are really fast and I may never be either of those things but that doesn't make me less of a runner or triathlete.
I love the saying "I may not be speedy but I am still lapping everybody sitting on the couch"