It’s good to be a triathlete

Every week when I read the weekly reports from the athletes on my training programs, I want the details of performance, health, feelings etc. The news is not always good. Every workout or every big weekend of training is not going to produce PBs, or even good experiences. The road to the top is not a straight line, there are a few dips along the way, but the general trend is upward.

It’s good to be triathletes and not wild west gunfighters. The gunfighter who has a bad day doesn’t get to analyse his performance and tell someone about it. The Samurai swordsman who lives into his forties has had an incredible run of good days.

Lets face it, good days come from preparing well. From learning from the bad days and being better prepared next time. After the analysis which follows the bad race or disappointing training day, put it behind you. It is only one day in a fantastic life.

We are privelaged to live a life of beautiful sunrises, shared with a great bunch of people who’ll help you out if you need it, and shoot you down if you become too self centered. If you have had a bad race, or a couple of poor training sessions, do a bit of self analysis, ask advice from a more experienced athlete or your coach. Then put it behind you and look forward to the great days this life produces.

Have you ever noticed how triathletes like to talk about themselves? We all do it. You’ll become a lot more interesting to listen to, if the only thing you do say about yourself is the answers to questions. Keep them short and to the point. Your friends and family really don’t want a detailed analysis of your bad race or less than satisfying training day.

Friends and family will be far more interested in your goals and plans for the future than what went wrong over the weekend. Enjoy your PBs, record them in your diary. Always record what went right, learn from what went wrong, and put it behind you.

Every sunrise is the promise of another great day, leave the past in the shadows of yesterday.