Childrens' Heros

Recently my little boy was watching Chicken Little. Without becoming a movie spoiler it is about a little boy (a.k.a Chicken Little) who has a "piece of sky" fall on his head. As the story goes it becomes apparent that nobody believes him...or worse yet believes in him. Even CL's dad directs doubt and critism towards his own son.

As I stood there for a brief moment, I quickly found myself emersed in the movie...introspectively wondering why so many parents do this very thing to their own children. I glanced across the room and saw my five year old son...beautiful, full of life and wonder, and new to all the world has to offer.

Realizing I am to be his sherpa of life I found myself making plans to show him the world, to be there when he decides to test his own skills...and to always provide support and encouragement...despite the inevitable obstacles and failures on the road of life.

Recently he participated in his first triathlon. Like life, the obstacles were set. It was cold (40 degrees), raining, and windy. The rain fell with a hard sting and there was a cold north wind. They came out of a warm indoor swim into the harsh cold...rain...wind. I was there to help him in the transition area, but by the time he left transition you could see him shaking from the cold. Minutes later (what seemed like forever) he was coming into T2. His lips purple and hands red, wrinched with cold. From personal experience I knew the pain. I could see doubt in his eyes, but as he made eye contact with me I knew he was searching for certainty and that is exactly what I gave him. Like a stone pillar unwavered by the elements I stood in the rain...strong and stead fast in my confidence for him. Through clapping, cheering, and a loving connection with the eyes...in less than words I told him he could go on. It was going to be tough but he could make it.

He made T2, removed his helmet, and made his way onto the run course. Clothes soaked and hanging from his small frame he moved into a jog. Mom was there to provide support...an encouraging word. And just like that I lost sight of him. He was out there somewhere...doing something...and all I could hope was that what we had given him up to this point in his young life would be enough for him to face this challenge. Consumed by these thoughts, I was brought back by the announcer boldly stating that my little boy had made the final turn and was headed home. With a surge in my own legs I rushed to the finish line. I felt as if I was running my own race. Full of excitement I saw him...rain running down his face, shirt barely hanging from his shoulders, his eyes fix on me...and in that moment he cross the finish line. In some of the worst conditions which multisport athletes face this little 5 year old boy did it. We high-fived and I helped him warm his cold body. In a moment of silence he said..."I did it Dad. Just like you."

Being your child's favorite hero is a special privilidge. Don't deny it, accept it, and live it. All children look to their parents for guidance, hope, and inspiration. It should be no surprise that in their own moments they want to prove their worth to you. Be there for them, support them, encourage them, take pride in them, and believe in them. Whatever you do, don't take second place to Superman...be the real hero.

Stability in Changing Times

Recently, my life has been like switch backs and fast turns in the Tour De France. I am dealing with some uncertainties and pain, similar to what I have experienced in racing where I thought my legs would not carry me another mile. As life changes and I move into different chapters, I am faced with how that change is going to influence those I love the most. I worry on most nights that I will let those people down...no...that I have already let those people down. I worry that no matter what I do from here, no matter how hard I train, no matter what race I run, I ultimately can not change the course. It is set and now I run.

In times like these, I think we all search for something that provides safety and stability. Like the hug from a loving mom, a pep talk from your childhood friend, a quite moment with your favorite song. We look for those things that provide us some security...if only for the moments we are engaged.

In these turbulent storms, through the rhythm of my legs, the beating of my heart, the sound of my feet as they wisp across the ground, as I watch the sun set below the dancing trees I search for what I have done right and where I have gone tremendously wrong. I am not sure I ever really find the answer...but I do find some comfort in knowing that with each new day there is a new chance...a chance to get it right, to put together a better effort, to have a better race. At times I feel like if I can just run far enough I will run right into the answers I seek.

Right now my shoes and my legs ability to carry me across God's earth are the only things that help me see through the storm. Some might say this approach is running from your problems. I disagree...these moments of uninterrupted time help me see through the fog, to clear away the noise, and focus on what I can do to make the road more smooth with fewer bumps. Like many of you, I have those that depend on me...I have failed more than I have succeeded and desperately I hope as time passes that all my "training" helps me to fail them less and to grow stronger with each hill I face.

In time to come I will continue to run, continue to look for the answers on quite runs between dusk and dawn. They are out there...I can hear them in the swift silence of the passing ground beneath my feet. For me, this provides some stability in changing times.

Photo by BillRhodes Photo

Finding Yourself Through Fitness

Recently I had a front desk staff member ask me a somewhat personal and conceptually based question. I had just finished a great speed workout on the treadmill and sweat was still beading up on my arms as a result of the effort. As I walked into the snack bar to make myself a smoothie she looked at me almost like she was trying to visually measure my personal drive and asked a simple question..."What drives you?"

Immediately I knew she was referring to my dedication to fitness, yet some how I felt like she was trying to tap into a deeper level of my being...potentially contemplating that if I gave her the answer that she could discover that same level of "drive" for herself. Not to say that she does not have her own drive...the things that push her to achieve what she may want to achieve in life. But I knew she was curious to understand the twinkle in my eye that is evident after most of my own training sessions.

Of course my answer was less than elaborate, composed and stated like the answer of a grade school boy I said, "I'm not sure." But after some reflection over a day or two I knew it was not an honest answer. Maybe I was afraid that my answer would not be the one for which she was searching or because many people would find it as an empty promise.

But since that question was posed to me, over a month ago, it has been a reoccurring theme in my own mind. I decided to blog it. As a prelude to my answer, I will let you know that it is MY answer, MY reason for fitness, and it is something much deeper than just a swim, a bike, or a run. It has to do with my relationship with this world, with God, and with the very reason I was put on this earth. OK...so if that didn't turn you off and you might be thinking, "Hey...I can relate." Then read on!

In my childhood I struggled with health. I was a severe asthmatic and had horrible allergies. As a result I was limited in athletics and was never a top athlete. But this did not deter my efforts. I never stopped trying and never stopped fighting to achieve something that at that time was not meant for my body. Over time my health improved. I was told that I was growing out of it, but I also felt there was something besides just the simple answer of growing out if it. All through that time I was as active as I could be.

In the late 90's I discovered running. In some way I became connected with it at a deeper level. I developed a relationship with my running and improved my health. My state of condition improved beyond my greatest expectations and running provided numerous benefits. When I would run (and even still today) a sense of peace came over me. Strange as it might seem, even when running fast, things (i.e. life) slow down, they become transparent, and I "see" more clearly...understanding the simplicity of my my being, my existence. Fortunately for me this sense also translates across other realms of fitness, carrying over into swimming and biking. Honestly I have better communion with God during these moments in my life than I do when sitting in church on Sundays. As Christopher McDougall writes, "We are born to run." I take it one step farther...we are born to move.

There is nothing more beautiful than a body in movement within the world around us. Without hesistation I can say this is truly a tribute to God's creation of man and earth. Interestingly, I see this concept in motion with many endurance athletes. They are drawn to a pre-dawn run where a cool breeze brushes their face as they watch the sun rise and chase away the mist across a waking wheat field. They find their "rythym" as their heart beats in concert with each pedal stroke as they ride across the country side or through the silent woods. They find joy in the weightlessness offered when swimming through the open water, almost as if you are being held up by the water...as if it's thanking you for your presence there.

So what drives me? Probably the same thing that drives most people. The desire to find meaning in life. The difference? I believe finding meaning does not come through some book, some job, or some status among my peers. It comes through my relationship with God, my body, and how I fit into the world around me. I find myself each time I swim or bike or run. We were designed to move. Through movement in God's presence it is apparent to me what I am here to do...and that is celebrate life, to celebrate existence through movement across the face of this beautiful world.

So the next time you are out, take a look around. What do you see? What do you hear? Can you hear the voices of the world when you are out celebrating your life through swimming, biking or running? I believe it is there for every one. You just have to open your heart and let it in. If you do this your training will never be the same again!

So take time to find the love in you run...