Made a new Twitter friend the other day - JenSmall (http://milesmusclesmommyhood.blogspot.com). Jen went from - in her words - Fat to Fit with diet and exercise, losing 100 pounds that she has kept off for over 8 months. She now competes in triathlons while chasing a little one at home.
I've also been watching some Ironman races from the mid 00's during my indoor trainer workouts. While it's fun to 'keep pace' with the leaders, I find more inspiration from the John 'Blazeman' Blais story - finishing his first Kona race after being diagnosed with ALS - than from watching Michellie and Norman tear up the course. Not only did Blazeman finish, he inspired Brian Breen to complete his first Ironman one year later, and now the movement continues: Iron Blazeman is available on iTunes, and pros like Chrissie Wellington are rolling over the finish line to keep the ALS fight alive.
We all need outside inspiration now and again. Long runs in cold weather and snow; 3:45am wake-up calls to head to the trainer for another ride; pool intervals while most are still sleeping. Watching what we eat, weigh-ins, and missing out on birthday cakes and that glass of wine. It can take its toll, and we need to keep focused. In addition to racing for yourself, who else do you race for? Family? Charities? Someone like Blazeman who has touched you and you want to continue the fight?
As for me, my family gives me great inspiration, along with support. I also think of Patti Sue and the kids at Casa de Fe (lacasadefe.org) an orphanage in rural Ecuador that adopted us when we visited there; and how they do so much with so little. I also draw strength from Blazeman and JenSmall, hoping I can use triathlon to help and inspire others to do more than they thought they could as well as spreading the word of a great cause.
Who Inspires You?
