Maybe not entirely about the ones you imagined based on the
title, but still related…
As triathletes, we envision transitions as a rapid and chaotic
change from one sport to the next. When we
first stand up after finishing the swim, we find ourselves dizzy and wobbly,
but hopefully we manage to quickly adapt and find our way to the bike. If it’s a wetsuit swim, we fumble around –
often falling, cursing, and falling again while trying to strip off the
constrictive device before grabbing our protective equipment and hopping onto
our speed machine (bike). Hopefully, we
manage to escape T1 and execute a flying dismount without kicking off our water
bottles, or hitting a cone (sorry Ben, I couldn’t help it!), or a face plant
(as I did when I was flustered after not being able to get my wetsuit off). It’s only a matter of time before our next
transition…
My T1 – Our lives mimic the transitions
of a triathlon in many ways. I recently
completed my doctoral degree (a painful experience, every bit as difficult as
an Ironman if not an Ultra!) and moved to the Lone Star State (really Steve and
his Mom did all the moving, I just timed it so I wouldn’t have to lift a finger
:). Although the change was planned,
finding employment on the other side was not as easy as expected. I haven’t had to look for a job in about 13
years. I found myself dizzy and
disoriented but quickly adapted to the online application systems. I quickly learned that it’s more about who
you know, are able to reach on the phone, and if you can arrange face-to-face meetings
with prospective employers.
Approaching T2 – you know it’s
coming up. You know what you need to
do. But what you need to do and what actually happens
are not always synonymous. I’ve
forgotten to pull my feet completely out of my bike shoes before a flying
dismount which resulted in an epic crash.
I did manage not to curse but may have chipped my teeth in my grimace of
pain. I’ve left my nutrition
behind. I’ve forgotten my race number. I’ve nearly gotten lost in transition. Name the mistake, I have probably made
it! It’s how I deal with and recover
from those mistakes that determine my overall performance. Even when I’ve made ridiculous mistakes, I have
still managed to pull it all together if I kept a positive attitude. I remember Jessica Jacobs telling me about one
of her IMFL experiences when she flatted at least 3 times but kept going! And another IMFL where she lost one of her
aero pads = OUCH!!! She still WON!
My T2 – Selling our house in
todays’ market is NOT fun! Especially while managing a move, trying to find a
job, and completing a doctoral dissertation all at the same time. I guess it’s better than dragging the stress
out… Even though the markets are tough, both
job and house, we just kept each small step in mind as we prepared the house
for sale and transitioned to San Antonio.
Just as in triathlon, visualizing and tackling the smaller steps –
taking a deep breath – and trying to enjoy the process makes a stressful
situation more manageable.
We cannot always control
change. It is how we chose to deal with
change – expected, or unexpected – that defines who we are (especially how we
deal with it when no one is looking).
