It was in the year 2010 that I was introduced to triathlons. I was in the US at that time. I did my first sprint triathlon, which included a 450-meter swim, a 25-kilometer bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run. By 2012, I had progressed to completing my first Full Ironman in California.
Completing Ironman was surreal. This looked impossible to me before I started with my training plans. However, that’s the biggest life lesson one can learn. Just show up and focus on the task of the day. Don’t think about how far you have to go. Break the bigger goals into small, achievable, daily tasks. I guess this stayed with me and helped me navigate my next 10 years of life.
In 2012, I moved to London. Moving from one continent to another, settling into a new country, and focusing on my career, all while welcoming my little bundle of joy into this world, left me with little time to train for a triathlon. Instead, I ran two marathons, and several half marathons, and completed two 100-mile bike rides to keep myself active. However, deep down, there was an urge to get back to triathlons. Sometimes, I would feel imposter syndrome, questioning whether it was really me who accomplished that feat in 2012. Would the people in London believe me if I told them I was a triathlete?
Then, last year marked the 10th anniversary of my first Ironman. One day, while swimming, I coincidentally found myself in the next lane alongside a triathlon training session. Without batting an eyelid, I joined them.
At that moment, it was more of an experiment for me. Here I am, older than when I first started triathlons, with a demanding job and a young child. My goal was simply to focus on the training. It became a very interesting phase of my life where I had to make choices. Triathlon training requires a significant time commitment, so it was important to figure out what would fit into my current lifestyle. It was all about finding the right balance, deciding what to prioritize and what to let go of.
I tend to be quite obsessive about certain things, thinking "It has to be done this way." But later on, I realized the importance of acceptance. This was a fresh new start for me, and I was open to setting new benchmarks. I understood that growth and progress are not always linear. Even if you take two steps forward and one step backward, it's still progress.
With this new perspective and self-acceptance, I completed Nottingham’s Outlaw Triathlon last weekend. The swim was a struggle, but once I was out of the water, I excelled in the biking portion, achieving my fastest time.
Participating in such events also connects you with super inspiring people who are much older than you, some are differently abled, yet they show up and give their best. In my last Tri, I met a 76-year-old man who finished his race successfully. It’s amazing what our bodies and minds are capable of achieving if we give ourselves a chance.
I strongly advocate investing in oneself, and I am grateful to have a support system in the form of my super supportive husband, who took on most of the responsibilities, such as taking care of our child, allowing me to pursue my triathlon goals.
Runner - Chandrika Srinivasan
Comments