I have to be completely honest, there was a moment today I wanted to quit and give up…have you ever had moments of weakness? I did the Waco Tri Olympic Distance today. It’s a 1 mile open water swim, 27 mile bike ride, and a 6.2 mile run through Cameron Park. I’ve been practicing my swimming for about a month, going to Lake Waco in the mornings and swimming laps to get used to the open water. I can run and ride for a long way and wasn’t too worried about those parts (because you can always slow down), but was really concerned about the swim (drowning or getting pulled out of the water). I enjoy the water and actually earned a mile swim badge in Boy Scouts (so much easier when your 14 or 15 yrs old)! No one will ever mistake me for Michael Phelps in the water.
If you don’t swim much, it’s not as much about strength or speed, but ALL about technique. If your head is out of the water, then your hips go down and you drag along very inefficiently, but this isn’t about the importance of swimming technique (or how bad mine is), this is about quitting and inspiration.
Should I QUIT?
After about 200 yards into the mile swim, I wanted to quit. I had been kicked, hit, swam over, spit on, swallowed Brazos River water, goggles were leaking, etc. I was hoping they’d call off the swim for lightening or that the water quality was too poor or even that I’d get bit by a snake! But no such luck…I couldn’t find a snake close enough! I wanted out of the water…NOW!
My Inspiration
As I considered quitting, all I could think about was how I was going to explain to my wife, kids, parents, friends, family, co-workers, and Titan Fitness Family (several were at the event cheering me on) why I QUIT! I couldn’t let that happen…quitting was no longer an option, so I swam on…
We teach/preach/coach to OVERCOME at Titan Fitness. OVERCOME obstacles and barriers and excuses that hold you back from achieving success or reaching the finish line or being great.
I wanted to set a good example for all the important people in my life (mentioned before) and not let them down. I visualized my wife, Maryann, being terrified of flipping the tractor tire. She OVERCAME her fear and flipped it several times. This inspired Nell Rela to OVERCOME and flip the tire too! Many others have since OVERCOME and got it done!
I thought about my Titan Fitness Family that OVERCOME excuses everyday at Titan Results FitCamp with Jason or that come to our other coaching sessions, or that come to our Group Exercise classes with Tawny, Ben, Ashley, or Rhiannon.
All in all, I found my ‘WHY?’ and my inspiration to finish the swim and ultimately the WacoTri in 2 hours 44 minutes. No, I didn’t shatter any world records or qualify for the London Olympics….I wasn’t the prettiest or the fastest, but I got my medal and race shirt and post-race pizza, banana, Oreos, graham crackers, etc. I walked away with my pride and sense of accomplishment. It was only 10am and to think what I had already done today…
Conclusion
You will have moment of weakness eventually. To OVERCOME those moments, you have to find your ‘WHY’ and what inspires you. You can sweat, cry, and bleed; get tired, weak and sore….but you can NEVER quit!
Winston Churchill Never Giving Up Quote:
~ Winston Churchill
Samuel Johnson Perseverance Quote:
~ Samuel Johnson
Jack Dempsey Never Giving Up Quote:
~ Jack Dempsey
Rudy Ruettiger Never Quitting Quote:
~ Rudy Ruettiger
Vince Lombardi Persistence Quote:
~ Vince Lombardi
