Sign-Up to Show Up!

Why train? I’ll put it simply: to compete. I was inspired to enter my first triathlon in October of 2012 while Kristi was going through chemo. I used it as a fundraising event to help offset the cost of her cancer care. I thought it would be one and done, an item to check off the bucket list. I had never ever competed in any type of endurance swimming or running event. I had done precisely one, endurance bike ride for a fund-raiser back in 1993.

But once I signed up for the triathlon, I didn’t want to barely finish, I wanted to be able to give it a solid effort. When I paid cash on the barrel head and my registration was confirmed, I was determined to show up and compete. Suddenly I found motivation to get out and ride, to run and keep running, and even to go to the rec center and swim.

And in the swimming, biking and running I found solace…a release from the stress of being a care-giver. I found space to process the grief that was already part of my life as cancer warped our experience. I found energy to handle the increased responsibilities.

I placed third in my age group that day (that’s a picture at the awards ceremony, above) and was hooked. Not just for the race, but the help that the regular training was providing. I wanted to keep training through the winter so I found and signed up for another, longer triathlon in April of 2013. Again, once I was committed for that race, the motivation to train was easy to find.

I know it can help you too. It can help you handle everything that being a widower throws at you. Here’s what I want you to do between now and New Year’s: decide what type of event you’d like to do and sign up for it.

Were you on swim team as a kid? There are Master’s swimming programs everywhere. It’ll come right back to you. Like to mountain bike? Look up a cyclocross race or mtn bike ride. Obstacle races like Tough Mudder and Spartan series are hugely popular. Biker? Find a group ride or local shop ride and go! And running…well running events are everywhere, all year round, even in winter. Search for a local 5K and I bet you’ll find one close by. Even if its not until April when the weather starts to improve, sign up now. The price will be cheaper and you’ll find motivation to start training for it.

Me? I’ve already signed up for my big event in 2015. I’m focused toward my first full Ironman race at the Ironman Chattanooga on Sept 27th. But my immediate goal is my second go at the 3M Half-Marathon next month in Austin. Tomorrow morning I’ll be out on the roads for 15-18 miles. Why? Because I want to show up next month and beat my time from last year. And because I’ll feel awesome after I’ve bagged that run tomorrow.

Take the first step toward training…sign up for an event!