Swim, bike, run...SLOW DOWN
Dear Blog Diary,
Endurance sport isn't about being fast. It's about not slowing down.
I’ve not changed my dog theory but I have added to it:
We get dogs because dogs break down your apprehension. I think as we get older, scar tissue accumulates. Ironically I believe it’s easier to love. We know ourselves better and we become more rooted in our convictions, what we admire and what we find desirable. It’s not the giving love, it’s the accepting. Just gets harder I think. How many times have you received a gift and asked, "why do I deserve this gift?" Possibly, “oh nonono I can’t accept that.”
Dog cuts right through that, consistently, genuinely, and intensely. Dog will disarm you with its love. It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I get to spend Kuma’s entire life with her and in return she gives me the best years of my life.
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So this time it was Ironman 70.3 Muncie, Indiana. I was overjoyed to have my best time yet. So happy to race with my little brother figure Roland and share those moments. You end up having these little homies moments on the course. This one guy told me he had been chasing me for a couple miles. I was flattered. He asked if I needed nutrition or anything. I responded, “got any gummy bears?”
And you know what, he actually had some. Found me at the finish and gave me a bag of Albanese. I love damn near everything about triathlon, the training, the moments, even the pain.
I was pacing with this guy toward the end, both of us razor sharp focus. Without provocation, I said to him:
“Pain is permanent. It just changes form.”
(That’s actually an original Eric btw. I swear)
He didn’t say anything to me. I said nothing further. Ironically, his legs blew up and I dropped him.
First Ironman 70.3 that Kuma actually went to. I hate to spoil the lovey dovey, but yeah, Kuma will eventually kick the bucket. As they say, “Dogs take away all your tears when they’re alive and then they give them all back.”
Pain is permanent. It just changes form. We suffer with so much. Just a reminder to be kind and spread some empathy. But damn when Kuma does go, that’s a new form of pain for me. I’m terrified, but all perfect loves come to an end, but not before she teaches me to love a bit more. In that case, I say be slow, slow down.
May be their entire existence. May be a moment to you. May be the time of your life.
Xoxo everyone,
E
#ARTiculate