Genesis

I was walking along the edge of the lake and saw, written in the sand, in the loopy lower case handwriting of a girl, "difference".

Some of what I write here will be original, or it may have been thought of before, maybe even written elsewhere. The difference is I am writing it here.

I'm going to write about my training. Currently I train for participation in triathlons and running races and bicycle races and bicycle touring. But I also train to de-stress, to be with my cycling friends, to be outside with nature, to relax and recycle my mind. The difference is I am doing it.

As you read this, never mind my notations of how many minutes or how many miles. I'm writing that because writing it helps me be accountable to me. "You manage what you measure." So now I'm keeping a record. This is the difference.

I was walking along the edge of the lake, previewing the swim course. It was a two loop course, including a 50 yard jog along the beach between the two loops. I've done triathlons, running races, marathons, bicycle races, centuries. A few years ago I lost the habit of training. The last couple of years I've gotten back into training. On this day, for this Olympic triathlon, the difference is I'm completely relaxed and confident. I'm not worried about all the little details. I've practiced and trained for all the disciplines, swim, bike, run, nutrition, transition, organization. My gear is all set up, I'm at the beach a half hour before the start. I've already won -- "the race to the start". Now the fun begins. Game on. Bring it. I'm enjoying being excited and ready to go. This is the difference.

I've been considering doing an Ironman. I've been reading blogs and posts of people who've done them. I like picking out the inspirational gems from their writing. Here's one of my favorites, and it may be why I decide to take the plunge and train for a year so I can complete an Ironman...

Because there is a moment, after all the training, all the getting up early, after all the times you missed hanging out, after trying all the combinations of food and drink, after remembering all the little details, after getting your gear setup, there is a moment when you walk down to the edge of the water just before the start and you realize "this is it, I am about to become an Ironman!" That is the difference.

What she wrote in the sand was trampled by a thousand running feet and washed away by the splashed water of a thousand kicks. But her thought stuck with me, I put it here and that is the difference.