Archive for July, 2008

Inspiration through Triathlon

July 07th, 2008 Comments(0)

The week before the Cowichan Challenge Triathlon (Vancouver Island), I was asked by someone what it was about competition and racing that I enjoyed. They presumed that my answer was about competing. I had to think hard about that, as it seemed easy to say that it wasn’t about competing and that it is more important to do my best, race my own race, than to worry about others. However, friendly competition is helpful in trying to achieve your best and can teach you a lot about yourself. I was within one kilometre of finishing my race when a fellow competitor and friend who was running faster than me caught up to me and kind of waited for me. I knew she was a faster runner and I didn’t know for sure why she was waiting, so I thought to myself maybe I can go a bit harder and spur my friend to go faster as well. To my surprise, my legs picked up and started carrying me faster than I thought possible. We nearly approached the girl who had passed me a little earlier, but I knew I couldn’t keep up the pace, so I encouraged my friend to go on ahead and catch her. My friend took off like a shot and I took a quick walk break. The magical energy that I had, was not sustainable. I then realized that my slower speed had been right for me all along and my friend went on to race an excellent first triathlon. That was my learning. I can confidently answer that I like to do my best and race my own race. I also like to see others race the best they can.

Later that same day, I also put some more thought into what attracts me to the races. Then I met up with some of the people I know around town who set themselves challenges that they never thought they could accomplish: Swimming in a race, being in the open water, wearing a tight swimsuit or racing suit in public, getting on a bike, then running. At triathlon races there is a great diversity of people with life stories about changes and challenges, people who have made major life changes, lost weight, stopped drinking, stopped smoking, found new meaning, and those who are battling physical disabilities or degenerative diseases. I am also inspired and challenged by our notions of aging. While I was racing the Cowichan Challenge I thought about our local celebrity (70+) who competes in this race nearly every year. I thought about her as I was climbing the hills of the run and passing over the stepping stones worrying about my footing and wondered what it was like for her.

The athletes would be enough inspiration for one day, but then there are the volunteers and spectators. The people who selflessly give of themselves to ensure that races go on, keep racers safe, fed and watered. They plan for months, set up the course long before the racers show up, and take it down after the racers have left. There are the spectators who stand there clapping and cheering and sometimes running alongside competitors to capture great photos; family members who are smiling from ear to ear with pride when they watch their loved ones take those enormous steps.

I am glad I was asked the question about what it was about triathlon races that I love. I now know why triathlon has become such a large part of my life.

Fantastic Venue for Sprint and Novice Triathletes!

July 07th, 2008 Comments(0)

July 1, 2008

Qualicum Beach Triathlon is a fantastic sprint and first timers triathlon. The location is beautiful, the short 400 metre swim takes place in an indoor pool, the 18 km bike is a fast four-looped course and the 5 km run takes you through two loops of a wooded chip trail. The weather was fantastic for the race! I was thrilled with my results even though I was 5 minutes slower than the last time I raced there. (By the way, that was five years ago). As many will say, it is because it is five years later and I am five years older. I have met enough athletes to know that it has more to do with amount of time training and the kind of training that is done rather than age. In those five years I have been focusing my energy on other things such as earning a Masters Degree at University, developing a business, raising kids, and athletically, I have moved into longer race distances (two marathons and two half-ironman triathlons). Had I decided to dwell on my slower race result even though I had been putting more time in training, I would probably have become very discouraged. However, it is very common for people to become frustrated when they work hard and don’t get the results they had expected. This is relevant in all aspects of life whether we are working on relationships, careers, business development etc. Sometimes people will respond with working even harder but not necessarily doing the right things. If I had done that, I would have ended up injured. It is important when you set your goals to take the right action steps to work effectively toward them. It doesn’t mean longer or harder hours, it means doing the right things to reach that goal. In my case, if I want to perform better as a sprinter, I need to put more time into strength training, and working longer at anaerobic and aerobic paces rather than long and slow which is required in longer distance training.
Getting back into the shorter courses is exciting. It is a much quicker pace and more power is required. I was so energized from this race, I decided to sign up for another short course the following week. I’ll talk more about inspiration in my next entry.
Belinda Kissack works as a Clinical Counsellor in the Cowichan Valley and trains for running races and triathlons in her spare time.