My family loves sports. We watched every bit of the Olympics that we could. Not only do we enjoy it for entertainment, but we believe sports can teach you so much about yourself and life. Even with our kids being little we try to utilize sports viewing as a parenting tool. Endurance, perseverance, teamwork, sportsmanship, victory, and defeat are a few things we talk about. I especially love the analogies that can be drawn between sports and life. Today, my husband ran his first triathlon. As I watched each contestant push forward it came to mind how strikingly similar a triathlon is to the race of parenting.
When you wake up the morning of the race you feel excited and confident in all your preparations. You're ready to be a parent and quite excited about it too. All the books that have been read and the classes completed have prepared you for the moment when that horn sounds and you'll be off on this journey or race of parenthood. But have you done enough? A tri is started with a swim. As you wade into the water you begin to get nervous and even doubt the decision to participate at all. However, the deed has been done and there's no turning back. : ) The horn sounds, and your off. Somehow, no one seemed to warn you about this part. Your getting kicked in face and pulled under water by everyone else around you. You just started and yet feel like quitting already. As everyone fans out and gets in their own grove, it gets a little easier. But, swimming is a every muscle in your body activity. Inevitably you begin to tire. The freestyle that seemed so promising at the beginning has turned into a breast stroke then a doggie paddle or at times just treading water. I'm convinced having little kids is like the swim. It's the loneliest of the events. No one is right there cheering you on. You get little love from the people doing it along side of you. Everyone is very focused on themselves and keeping their own head above water. It's also the only event where re-fueling isn't an option. There's no water bottle to grab or emergency energy gel pack to pop.....you find yourself only relying on the preparations you made ahead of time. Somehow, you've made progress because you pass a mile marker, but there's still a long way to go. Sometimes the kids help you along and the swim doesn't seem so bad, and other times it's like they personally tied weights around your ankles! There it is! You can see the shore. You think you're close enough to touch the sand, but put your feet down just to be pulled back under. Go a little farther! You almost have this! Soon your feet hit bottom. You're able to come up and take a nice deep breath. It feels so good. Done? Not even close, but that part is over!
You take off running for your bike. Shed the swim cap and goggles....you have new equipment needed for this new phase. Quickly put on your shoes and make preparations for a new set of challenges and experiences. Your kids are growing up now. A little more independent, but still very much in need of you just in different ways. There are some hard hills up ahead but you hear cheers from the sidelines, and it pushes you forward even when your body aches. The hill is over and down the other side is something wonderful. You get to sit back and enjoy. Keep peddling, but less force is needed. Things are going well. Still participating in the race, but not having to work so hard. Just when you think all is well, someone comes whizzing past you! Grab a swig of water and head on after them. You can't sit back and rest for too long. And, sure enough as you round the corner you can see the bike racks. While you're glad things are moving forward, it's hard not to hesitate. The bike has been working and feels good. If I get off, my legs might feel like noodles. What if they don't hold. me? It doesn't matter.....the end is here.
College really? Has time really gone by that fast. It seems like yesterday you were fighting for breath during the swim. Somewhat reluctantly you hang your bike up. Put on a new pair of shoes better fit for running, strap your number on your back and off you go, on a new journey. This journey seems so different, but also a little bit fun. You can say a few words to other runners and sneak in a wave at spectators. Time moves with a little less urgency now. As you round some of the last corners you know what's ahead. The finish line is the end of the race but the beginning of a celebration! Heaven will be sweet. You begin to reflect on all you've done. Hopefully satisfied, you cross the finish line with your arms held up high! Probably not the winner, but as a finisher feeling just as accomplished.
Now you can stop! What a feeling! This is true rest! Grab some water and let your heart rate slow down a little, because there's something big going on and you don't want to miss any of it!
