Becoming Journey

Her Name is My Name Too!

I am I ran a 5K (my first) on Saturday. And I was very slow. In front of me were all the runners - behind me were all the walkers. I was in the middle and I started to feel something about this that was negative -- like I should be faster or I should just walk. And then it occurred to me how amazing the middle is - I realized that I am someone who runs even though it's harder; someone who challenges herself at things she isn't currently good at. I am someone - I have chosen to be someone - who goes for what she wants instead of settling for what she can more easily have.

On Sunday I went to a tri-training clinic and I met this woman who didn't know how to swim who was doing a tri next week. She was a real bad swimmer and kept apologizing for it to me. And then I looked at her and said - you know I'm not the fastest swimmer - but I'm not as slow as you. But you are a much braver swimmer than I. This isn't a bit hard for me - or scary - or risky. It's just a swim. I'm not great, I'm not bad, I'm in the middle, doing the swim and waiting for the bike ride. But you, you should be beaming with pride when you swim because you are
doing something 99.9% of people would never do - pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone - beyond your skills even - and that - that is what makes you a triathlete. So you enjoy your swim in next week's triathlon and know that you are the best swimmer out there - no matter what your time is.

She cried. We hugged. And then I told her I had no idea how to ride a bike and we laughed our asses off.

I have no idea what her name was.