On a Personal Note – Life Lessons

Hello!

We have been out of town the past two weekends, and this past weekend we were in Sandusky, Ohio for an event that my husband has been anticipating for months.  He’s been training for a Half-Ironman event.  For those unfamiliar with it, it’s a triathlon event, which includes a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run.  (Yes, there is a full Ironman event for the truly insane dedicated).

Over the course of the weekend, we all had quite a few life lessons.  Some more difficult than others. 

Some words to live by popped into my mind that I thought I would share.

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”  -Eleanor Roosevelt

I think I filled my yearly quota with one terrifying ride on this coaster with my 10 year-old son.  I would have screamed, but it was going so fast (125 mph) that it literally took my breath away.

Cedar Point – Top Thrill Dragster

If that view wasn’t enough for you, here is another.  This is a view from the top.

Prior to our coaster adventure, we caught my husband’s wave at the beginning of the swim.

Of the three events, my husband was most nervous about the swim.  He woke up that morning with an upset stomach, thinking he might be coming down with something (one of my boys had just been diagnosed with strep), but I was hoping it was just nerves.  Otherwise, it was a perfect day – calm waters, good temperature, beautiful day.   You couldn’t ask for more.

While waiting for him to finish the swim, I started taking pictures of some of the finishers, since it was such a great backdrop.

Then I turned around and saw my husband sitting on the shore, with his head in his hands, tears in his eyes.  He didn’t finish the swim.  Turns out, his stomach issues cleared up, and he felt good.  Felt strong.  The swim was going well. 

Until… 

Halfway through when he turned his head to take a breath, and inhaled a bunch of water in the process.  He had taken in water before, during training, but must have gotten a bunch of it this time. 

He couldn’t get his breathing back.  Tried floating on his back, breast stroke, all of the things they tell you to do. 

None of it worked.  He had to pull out of the race and was brought in with the help of a kayaker.

I was absolutely heartbroken for him.  But, there were a lot of life lessons learned.

“The only real failure in life is the failure to try.” – Sven Goran Eriksson

I like running, but have stayed away from the triathlon because of the swim.  I don’t like the idea of swimming in open water – makes me nervous.  I give my husband kudos for embarking on this journey in the first place.  And it really resonated with my boys.

“Never, never, never give up!” – Winston Churchill
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” – Og Mandino

One of my boys said, “One thing about Dad, he doesn’t give up.”  It was really nice for them to see that a temporary setback doesn’t mean that you give up.

Have you stepped out of your comfort zone lately?