Personalities of Endurance Athletes

Hello world...again!

I've decided to start blogging again for a couple reasons. (1) School is finished and I have the time. (2) I'm going to be laid up for a few weeks and I think I'll be able to keep somewhat sane if I write it all out.

Quick background: I'm having surgery on Tuesday to repair an over-stretched ligament in my right ankle. 4 months of Aircasts, ice and rest have done nothing and the only option left is surgery. It can't get any worse - so here's to getting better!

The topic that made me want to start blogging again today - Personalities of Endurance Athletes.

I consider myself an endurance athlete. I'm not a sprinter. Actually, I'm a slow endurance athlete, but I am getting faster. In training with different groups consisting of runners, bikers and triathletes, I have found there is a common personality and characteristics of these athletes.

When I started running (really running...) I found that runners were nuts. Crazily obsessed about the food that goes into your body, pace by quarter mile, and also about encouraging other runners, whether fast or slow. I found that I fit in well. I can be, shall we say, passionate about things in which I am involved. I found myself watching EVERYTHING that went into my body including ounces of water each day. I was obsessed with mileage, speed and heartrate. I was a runner.

I recently started cycling seriously. Cyclists are much more relaxed. They don't watch as much what goes into the body, pace or how much water, to the ounce, they drink. However, they are focused on getting up the BIG hill faster, with more vigor and with more stamina than last time. They are also big on encouraging others without being condescending to the slower riders. They are also big on recovery after a ride. I was a cyclist.

I spent this weekend trying to figure out how I could fit into both groups. Granted, I had been training for an Ironman until this past Thursday, when I found out abut my surgery. What was the common denominator? I was always under the impression that you were either a runner, cyclist or a triathlete - not all of them. Who was I? What was my athletic personality? I wanted to answer these questions before I had surgery since my endurance training would be changing considerably over the next 4-6 weeks.

It hit me this morning - the common denominator is the personality of an endurance athlete, itself. After reviewing some of the people I run and bike with, it was so obvious. Endurance athletes are very stubborn, strong-willed, driven and motivated people. What would make anyone want to run 26.2 miles, or bike 150 miles over two days, or swim/bike/run 140.6 miles? That person in their core. Each person I've talked to is not only persistent and motivated in their endurance endeavor, but also in life. Some I have heard talk about what they do outside of the sport and they are the ones that others talk about as an "Energizer Bunny". When I have been called that, I don't think much about it. It's who I am in my core. One of the ladies I ride with is a stay at home mom, but she's hardly that. She may not work, but she's the head of her PTO, rides 20-30 miles 4-5 times a week with different riding groups, and is very involved in her church. Drive. Others work long and crazy work hours...and ride 3-4 times a week the same distances. Motivation. I've been working and finishing my Masters degree full-time for the past year...while training for an Ironman. Honestly, I think the training helps me deal with the stress and gives me an outlet. I couldn't see myself doing things any differently than I have done them. It's in my core.

In preparing to be done with school this week, I have been looking for my next conquest. I've decided to get my Certified Personal Trainer certificate this summer. I have always wanted to do this...and I think it will be good knowledge to have. I don't know if I'll ever do anything with it, but it is another milestone for me to knock out. I never considered my life goal list as a bucket list, but I suppose it is - in an inverse way. I don't see my list as things I want to do before I die - but as things I want to do while I'm able and capable. I am also going to start working on my conversational and business Spanish skills. I'd love to move to Puerto Rico in about a year, and this will help. I may even try to find a Latino to practice Spanish and English with, conversely. I have to keep busy. All endurance athletes are like this. It's not just me.

And they all are encouraging to faster and slower athletes. It's a club. But it's not exclusive. Once you decide to join, you will get encouragement and support like you never experienced. It's THAT fellowship that keeps you coming back. The people rock.

Just keep on keeping on... Go for the long haul. Go all the way. Don't stop if you are tired. You're probably not. Your brain is telling you that you are, but there's a great chance that your body is not!!! Give 100% ALL of the time. You'll never be disappointed in yourself that way. And spread the love - encourage others. It only builds up the people around you...and, in return, you will be built up. Gotta love that love.