The Nature of Disappointment

Over the past few days Canadian triathletes experienced profound disappointment at the London Olympics.  Paula Findlay finished in last place, and Simon Whitfield did not even get the opportunity to complete his race after crashing only 30 seconds into the bike leg of the race.

What makes it difficult for Simon is that this is most likely his last Olympic event, and maybe even his last triathlon.   It is not certain that he would have won, or even made the podium, but what he wanted most was to show his stuff to the world.  And to see how all the training, sacrifice, and effort would have been measured against the rest of the field.

Paula entered the race with no race situations for the past 12-months. Maybe she was simply fooling herself.  Maybe she should not have even stepped up to the start line?  But true competitors will never back away from a challenge.  Regardless it was crystal clear that she felt the pressure of  disappointing others - family, coaches, teammates, and Canada.   That certainly is a great deal of pressure for a 20-something.


I'm in no way comparing myself to these two world class athletes in terms of ability, but I understand what they may be feeling.

Like Simon, I also have a DNF.  It was at an Olympic Distance race in Corner Brook, NL in 2005 and my body would not co-operate, and after a tough bike lap I pulled the chute and handed my bib to an official.  As soon as I handed it in I wished I did not.  It felt awful being in transition packing up my things as others were still on course.  And it was even worse at the athletes dinner having to tell people I DNF'ed.  I vowed then that I would never again DNF.

And a little later that year I experienced what Paula did at Ironman Canada.  Even going in to the event prepared my body shut down - dehydration - during the race and I had to struggle across the finish line in over 16 hours.    It was a dreadful run leg - cramping, stumbling.  But I heard my name called, got a medal, and finisher t-shirt.  And a few hours in the medical tent.  But I finished.  And even though my time goal was not achieved I averted a major disappointment.
 
So the question I asked myself is how should we view disappointment? 

First, I think it is naive to think that we will go through our lives without disappointment. 

Second there are will be major and minor disappointments.  Don't make a minor disappointment into a major one.

Third, it's how you deal with the disappointment that you'll be measured by.  We are allowed some time mourn if you will but do you  let the bitterness consume you?  NO!  Disappointment is simply a new motivator.

And finally, let's reshape our view of disappointment by reassessing how we measure ourselves.  Perhaps we are not managing our expectations, investing too much in the wrong things, acting in unhealthy ways. Instead of using finishing times as a measure perhaps we should measure if we really gave our all, or if we finishing in a healthy and uninjured state.  Or instead of a placement perhaps we should measure ourselves against how we executed our race plan. 

So if you've had some disappointment with your recent training, races etc. take a step back and determine how you are looking at / dealing with the disappointment.   You may just surprise your self and get back on the positive track.

Until next time, keep tri'n.

It's time to say "Thank You".

The holiday season is typically a time where we verbalize our gratefulness and thanks for our fortunes and blessings.  I too will take this time to share with you what I am thankful for, as it relates to triathlon and endurance sports.

1) I am thankful for my wife [A.K.A my better half] for her support as I participate in triathlon by giving me the time me to train, to race, and traveling to races with me.  In the last 11 years my wife has only missed one race.  Now that's support!  This of course means time away from home, early bed times, early wake-ups, and missing social functions.  [Now let's be honest, missing some of these functions can often be a blessing, but you only know that after you have arrived to see the Jello mold on the table.] 

2) I am thankful for the Race and Series Directors for putting on excellent events.   As participants we do not see or even realize the amount of time and effort that goes into putting on a race that is exciting, challenging and safe.    

3) I am thankful for the volunteers at all events.  Without them we would not be able to race.  This is especially true of long distance events (70.3 and IM) where there are thousands of participants over a huge distance.  So instead of getting grumpy if an aid station volunteer gives you water instead of Gatorade, thank them for standing in the sun/rain/wind/night to ensure you finish the race.  The volunteers invest as much emotionally into these races and they get as much satisfaction from volunteering as you do from racing. 

4) I am thankful for my health.  No further explanation needed.  

5) I am thankful for all the great people I've met at races.  From the IM world champion [at different races] to ITU pros to first timers.  We are all part of a special tribe and it's great that we can celebrate our enthusiasm for the sport together.  Many of the people I've met I'm still in contact with.....so say hello to the person next to you in transition...they may become a special person in your life.

6) I am thankful for those who have read this blog.  I appreciate the time you take, and I hope in some way it is entertaining, informative, and helpful.  Feel free to share with others, and if there is a topic you are interested in, let me know.

I wish all of you a fantastic holiday season, and the very best for the 2012 season.  This will be my last post for 2012 so until next year, keep tri'n.

Between your ears

You've probably heard it a hundred times...from your mom, your teacher, your coach, and maybe even your boss...."use your head", or "keep your head in the game".

While it is usually not communicated in a nice, gentle way, the advice is well founded.

Keeping your head on straight during a triathlon is key to having a good day. Why? Because no matter how well you are prepared, there is always something that will go wrong. And it is how you handle the situation or even situations that will determine your result.

First, let's deal with the physical. Not matter how much you've trained, and how fit you feel more often than not you will deal with some level of discomfort. For me the discomfort usually appears in the run. It may be heat, or it may be a cramp, or a blister. It is at these times that I simply try to think about how much time I need to deal with the discomfort. For example in a recent race the heat was really getting to me on the run. There was not a lot of shade, the road was hot, and the course was hilly. But I knew that if I could deal with the heat for another 12 - 15 minutes I'd be finished. And I knew if I kept moving I'd tick off the minutes and be done. So rather than focusing on the discomfort I counted down the minutes.

Then there are the mechanical issues. These are difficult because they can add a lot of time to your day. And worse, all you can think about are the athletes passing you. Then you begin to rush, make an error in your fix and end up in a worse spot. The key is to keep calm, and make the right fix, once. Slow is smooth and smooth is steady.

But what if it happens again. This is where attitude really comes into play. At Ironman Canada in 2005 carpet tacks were thrown onto the bike course by someone or a group of someones who did not want the race in their back yard. This caused a lot of flat tires. One participant suffered 6 flat tires during her ride. But she kept her cool, made the fixes, and knew that she had plenty of time to make the bike cut off. She did not end up with her desired time, but she crossed the line and was an Ironman. Now that's using your noodle.

And in a recent, local Olympic race the eventual winner had to fix a pedal issue which took 5 minutes of his time in transition. He kept calm, made the fix, then proceeded to race his race, and still cross the line in first place.

The stories could go on forever...from forgetting your bike shoes, to ripping your wetsuit, to losing your goggles in the swim.

So remember, train hard, and go to the race prepared - physically and mentally ready to handle whatever the day throws in your way.

Until next time, keep tri'n.