By Jack, on November 17th, 2009One of the things I worry about as I begin my training for the Silverman is having to give up before the finish. Now, I know it’s bad to think negatively about such an outcome, but there is probably something to be learned here from folks who have been there, done that. If you have ever not finished a triathlon, marathon, century, etc., what caused you to quit? What would you have done differently to prepare, etc.?
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I am one of those people who hasn’t finished yet. Even at Silverman this year, I walked the marathon after realizing that I would not be able to run.
There has been one race that I should have quit – Austin Marathon, 2004. Sometimes, it’s better to accept the mental defeat then suffer physically for months later. The best way to deal with not meeting your goals (I don’t like the term Failure) is to make a contigency plan before hand, then be prepared. Evaluate the race and see what happened – then adjust for the future. We can control our training, our nutrition and our equipment. Everything else is out of our hands – like the weather at Silverman!
I think it’s important to really look at what your goals are, Jack. Is your goal to finish? Is your goal to improve fitness and get stronger? Is your goal to expand your mental and physical environment?
I haven’t committed to Silverman for many years because each year I think “I don’t know what will happen or where I will be next year.” Yet each year, I know deep down inside that this is entirely achievable for me. This year, I’ve decided to make the leap and break the cycle. So okay. Maybe I won’t finish (I know I will!), maybe something will get in the way of my training, maybe, maybe, maybe. The maybe’s are infinite and I will deal with them as they arise. In the meantime, I am feeling good and I’m meeting great people, learning great skills and I’m reaching for a vision. The Silverman alone is not the vision; the entire journey is.