I have some very fast friends and I always seem to get up set when they start talking pace. I am slow I know this but when they start to throw out numbers it just makes my head spin. I am not sure if it is because I wonder why they need to tell me speed or if it is because I hear their numbers and I start calculating how much slower I am then them. I would also like to know what they mean when they say pace is relative. Relative to what? I feel like they are saying it is relative to them being fast and me being slow. I know that this should not get to me but it does. I am hyper sensitive and always feel this is a slap in the face. Just like when people post on their wall on Facebook how fast they go and how far - why do they need to brag. I get the idea of making yourself accountable and idea of motivation but we are not all the same and I feel like this could also be discouraging to many.
I was also feeling bad for myself in regards to a previous comment from another triathlete mom. I was told that it was harder for moms with younger children than for mothers with teenagers to be triathletes. I disagree. I think that moms in general it is hard to be triathlete especially when it comes to the long corse. Yes I get that I do not have to wipe butts, but when your teenager gets in to trouble it is usually not just because he bit another child or threw sand at someone. Which made me start to think....
Triathlons are like children. Sometimes you have to clean up some poop. Sometimes you have to clean up vomit. You learn fundamentals in your early years and build on them from year to year. When you graduate you walk across the stage and get a diploma everyone gets the same one. When you cross the finish line you get a medal just like everyone else. Now if you excel in school you have awards and if you win or win your age group you also get an award. Just a thought.
At mile 45 ish of our ride today I got a flat tire on a road that Shaun just told me he saw rattle snakes on. Ya this was probably the fast tire change I have ever done. It did help that it was on the front tire and that the blow out made the tire come off.
Then as I rode on I thought Shut up you are so dumb none of this matters. You do this for you and not anyone else. And you do the best you can with what you got. I work a full time job, raising two teenagers, am a wife, studying for another board, and still training non stop. All that matters is, I am doing what I want to do, not how I add up to everyone else. I know that there is always room for improvement and I am working on that. It takes time. I love this sport and will continue to grow from it.
I have meet so many great people doing triathlons and we do not always talk about race pace or distance. But then again we do talk a lot about training and racing. I have some amazing friends and have really grown to love this sport more and more each day. Don't get me wrong I hurt and days are not easy but the feeling of accomplishment outweigh all the work it takes.
I guess I should have said as my mind wondered today these were my thoughts lol. Long bike rides make for a lot of random thoughts.
