Friday, March 21, 2014

47 Gifts of Triathlon

This is my simple birthday post (a day early). [in new Roanoke Tri Club kit above.]

It was inspired by my daily humble appreciation for the sport and community of triathlon and what it has meant for my life and my spirit these past five years. Triathlon is 365 days of gifts in the year. Even if some of the experiences feel at the time like gifts I'd rather return, I know in hindsight I gained from them too.

I could write paragraphs about each, and in fact that's how this started. But it's sort of like inviting people to a wedding -- the choice is to keep it really small, or else it gets really BIG! There is no in-between. So I went small and quick...and inevitably incomplete...with my 47 Gifts of Triathlon:
  1. Sunrises
  2. Smiles
  3. Friendship
  4. Adventure
  5. Victory
  6. Surprise
  7. Humility
  8. Freedom
  9. Discipline
  10. Open water
  11. Open road
  12. Trails
  13. Injury
  14. Patience
  15. Healing
  16. Coach
  17. Courage
  18. Racing
  19. Uncertainty
  20. Excitement
  21. Bikes
  22. Running shoes
  23. Cold weather
  24. Warm weather
  25. Rain
  26. Wind
  27. Accomplishment
  28. Confidence
  29. Toughness
  30. Speed
  31. Strength
  32. Fatigue
  33. Creativity
  34. Quiet
  35. Sweat
  36. Pain
  37. Joy
  38. Second breakfast
  39. Anatomy lessons
  40. Writing
  41. Travel
  42. Love 
  43. Laughter
  44. Perspective
  45. Focus
  46. Grit
  47. Gratitude
Triathlon reinforces that happiness results from experiences and relationships and not things or wealth. I look forward to discovering the new year's birthday gifts!