What are You Working On Now?

Ten years ago, if you would have told me that I would be really into fitness, I would have laughed my (much fatter) ass off. But now, I have almost come to accept it. I am into fitness. I spend my time running, biking, swimming, stretching and whatever else catches my attention. When I'm not doing those things, I'm reading about them, talking about them, and planning my time to be sure I can squeeze it all in. I used to wonder who I was becoming, but now I'm just really happy with who I am.

Every where I go people ask me, "What are you working on?" In the past it would have been school or work or the famous answer, "Not Much." But now when they ask me what I'm working on, it's usually a distance, a speed, or a new activity. I sometimes hesitate to reveal what it is I'm actually working on because I'm worried I might jinx myself. If I admit I am working toward something bigger, I might fail and then I'll have to admit that too!

So what am I working on right now? A lot of you already know that I'm planning to run the Fox Cities Half Marathon this fall. But I'm also planning to test the waters of the triathlon world this summer. The next inevitable question is "What does that entail?" Well, to start with, it entails a lot of really hard work. The distance I am aiming for includes a quarter mile swim, a 15 mile bike ride, and a 5k run. Individually, none of these seem too hard. But string them together and it becomes the biggest challenge I have yet to face.

Let's break this down. I've got to swim a quarter mile in the lake. At the rate the weather is progressing, I'll be lucky if the water is 70 degrees. Brrrrrr........ I am practicing at the Y and when the pool is less than 82 degrees, I contemplate leaving before my big toe even enters the water. When I get tired in the pool, I stop and grab the side and take a few deep breaths before continuing. I also panic if I have to share my lane. So now I am picturing entering the water in a massive crowd, choking on ice water, and having nothing to hold on to.

So let's say I survive the swim. The clock doesn't stop there. At that point, I will need to adjust my wardrobe and hop on my bike. Fifteen miles. No big deal. I sometimes ride 15 miles after work. Oh, but did I forget to mention that I have a network of flags between Ripon and Neenah that I monitor constantly? If the flags are moving at all, I start to worry. My rides are planned completely based on the wind speed and direction. More than 15 mph and my bike won't see the light of day. Other days, I brave it but always ride into the wind first so that it is at my back on the way home. Something tells me that besides not heating the water, the race director is not going to change the bike route the morning of the race just to accomodate my weather fears.

Ok fine. Let the wind gust at my face. See if I care. Because when I get off the bike, I'm going to change my shoes and proceed to run a 5k. Where I stand now, a three mile run is a pretty small work out. I save it for nights when I have to squeeze something in between baseball practice and spelling words. I'm getting cocky. I am working on running following a bike ride. Guess what? It's really hard. It's almost like you can't feel your legs. If you can, they aren't communicating with your brain. It's like a small pony, trying to walk for the first time. Oh, but that pony has to win a race. Or at least complete it.

So that's what I'm working on. It's so much more than swimming, biking, and running. It's survivial. It's facing the elements. It's proving to yourself that you are more than a one trick pony. Yes, the pony must do more than JUST learn to walk! It's wardrobe planning and management, nutrition and hydration, exerting and conserving energy at just the right moments, and even trying to have fun.

Wow, this is so intimidating. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I could never go back to having "nothing much" to do. I enjoy achieving my goals but I can't imagine ever being satisfied enough to retire my running shoes or my bike helmet. There is always another distance, another event, another speed, another challenge.

You shouldn't be satisfied either. I don't care if you aren't an athlete but you are something. I know a lot of you are working on a college degree. Many are parents or planning for another baby. You all have interests, talents, passions and hobbies. Have you taken that skill as far as you can? I would be willing to bet you haven't. My guess is that you can achieve more. Don't let the obstacles stand in your way. Don't be afraid of the cold and the wind. Keep putting one foot in front of the other even when your legs aren't communicating with your brain.

When you cross the finish line, enjoy it. Celebrate. Take some time off. But don't let yourself be done. When the excitement wears off and you start getting restless again, you are bound to ask yourself that question before anyone else does. What are you working on now?

I hope you have a good answer.