By starting, we create great possibilities

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2014

The sun was setting over Skaha Lake as I struggled up a long hill on mile 16 of the run course at Ironman Canada. Finishing by sunset had been my goal - so I was 90 minutes behind. I was nearly spent after an hour plus of hard swimming, more than six hours of racing my bike up and down mountain passes, and alternately running and walking off quad cramps for three hours. I had already completed six Ironman races in faster times and had nothing to prove. Why continue?

Over decades of racing marathons and Ironman, I have found there comes a time when I have to make a big decision. Can I push on? Can I work through my fatigue and pain? Will the course and the weather defeat me? Is this really my limit? Am I capable of more than I have already asked of myself?

The lesson I learned at Ironman Canada 2006, when I did push on and had a thrilling finish under the lights, and in many other races is I am capable of much more, my limits are mostly perceived rather than real, I can push through challenges and seeming barriers to the pure joy of crossing the finish line.

I see life in general similar to racing an Ironman or marathon. Starting is the act 99% of people who ought to be pushing at their limits do not risk. But by starting, we create great possibilities of learning new and important things, and of finding fresh vistas and opportunities. So right there, by committing to start, we are way ahead of the pack.

And then we have the long, hilly, hard journey, pushing on, sometimes a exhilarating ride, sometimes a challenging test, but with the promise of great insights and great reward.