For some it comes easy. Natural born athletes with the ability to pick
up new sports and learn new skills easily...and then there are the rest
of us.

For some in our group, swimming is the area that is the toughest. Some
may have found yourself touching the wall behind the others at our swim
clinic last Sunday. You may have felt awkward, perhaps a little
panicked.

Its hard being a novice in the water, especially when you can run or
bike with ease and competence.

You may have thought "is it worth it?"

I cant answer that question for you. But I can offer you this:

"Many a man has finally succeeded only because he has failed after
repeated efforts. If he had never met defeat he would never have known
any great victory."  Orison Swett Marden

I know that the swim portion may be very difficult some of you right
now. You may wonder if you can really get through the swim that will
start your triathlon. It may not be easy. You will have to find a way
to get through it and when stride up the beach you will know what it
took for you to get there.

In my experience some of the most memorable endurance events I have
ever done were the ones where I struggled the most...there are days
when things are not going well but you never consider quitting..its not
an option...the decide to do your best, with what you got, and
continue....

You could stay with the disciplines and endurance sports that you have
mastered and continued to do the same events that are a "sure thing".
But you choose to pursue triathlon knowing you might have to start all
over and struggle.

We all have days where we are "on"...things are clicking and you are
moving better than you expected...those are great moments...but I think
our character is more accurately revealed in those moments when we are
hit by constant disappointment and difficulty...and we struggle....but
we dont quit. Not in our training, not in the event.

When you stand after your first open water triathlon swim and move
towards the transition area with a smile you may be the only one who
truly knows what it took to get you there...and the sense of pride and
joy you feel.  

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond
them into the impossible." Arthur C. Clark

This week you will take another step towards your goal of completing a
Triathlon...

Onward!

Stephen Bullard on behalf or the TriQuest Coaches