4. Publicly documented each and every workout.
Selfies of my girlfriends and me all in helmets and spandex as we returned from a ride, the sunrise coming over the water as I embarked on an open water swim. Shout-outs to and tags of each and every person I encountered during my four-mile run through town. I train at least twice a day, six to seven days a week. The math reveals the number of workout posts my friends endured early in my triathlon obsession.
A couple of years ago I saw a meme that said, "No one cares about your workout, unless you tripped and smacked your face on the treadmill." Suddenly panic hit as I thought, "They are talking about me." Training-centered social media posts undoubtedly play an important role in keeping us all connected and motivated as triathletes. But today I try to limit my sharing to the celebration of a breakthrough accomplishment or moments of profound gratitude. I share the daily log of my training minutia with my coach, because I think he and I are the only ones who really care.
5. Bragged "I won 1st place at the triathlon this weekend!"
What I failed to include was that I won first place for women ages 35-39 in the sprint distance duathlon. There were three women in my age group registered; one didn't show and the other got a flat climbing a bridge. I wasn't "lying," just "selectively omitting certain key details." Even my elderly mother eventually caught on to these shenanigans. "That's nice that you placed first at your triathlon, honey. Was there more than one woman in your age group this time?" She eventually learned to ask.
In seventh grade, the school matched us with a ninth grader as a mentor. This was an older, more experienced student who filled you in on crucial Middle School secrets like "The cool kids sit in the back of the bus," and "It's dorky to bring your lunch from home."
Fortunately, the triathlon community is equally filled with a supply of athletes with more knowledge, experience and expertise. Today I am grateful for the guy on the Sunday coffee shop ride who tactfully suggested that I needed to lube my chain regularly.
Triathlon is a sport of constant self-improvement. There is no end point, no moment when we clearly become the very fastest, most informed or the best in the sport. There is always more to learn, endless growth to be had and gains to be made.
I look forward to the day when Betsy in the 70 to 74 age group looks back and rolls her eyes, gently laughing at the Betsy of today.
Relaed Articles:
Lessons Learned From My Worst Race Ever
10 Things Triathletes Should Never Do
10 Common Training Mistakes To Avoid
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Betsy Langan, MSW is a grant writer and women's health advocate who resides in Key West, Florida. Addicted to the sport of triathlon, she has completed over 60 swim, bike and/or run events in the past five years, crossing the finish line in a vertical position 98.9% of the time. Betsy is currently studying to become an IRONMAN University certified coach, and hopes to formally share her passion with those just starting out in the sport. She can be reached at langanlady@gmail.com.
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