I am so mentally and physically exhausted. How in the world do they do it? I have just been humbled by all ages, genders and sizes as they passed right by me.
I did my very first duathlon, run – bike – run, and what a whirlwind of emotions from the night before to hours after the race.
Two days prior I started feeling a little under the weather. It almost got the better of me until I got control of my mindset. I do not mean it got the better of me as I got too sick. In fact it was just lingering within me. It almost got the better of my state of mind, an easy way out of not following through.
How often do we come so close to starting what we desire
and at the last minute we find a small insignificant reason to quit on ourselves.
When I arrived at the race location, I felt like I was walking into a speech to thousands of people with a topic I knew nothing about. All the racers were showing up with their professional triathlon bikes and gear. They looked so focused and determined with their pre-race rituals and stretches. I was once again ready to quit. Nothing a bit of self-affirmation talk couldn’t fix.
Turned out that the people were very friendly and helpful in guiding me on my first event. I remember one woman taking the time to give me some guidance and in the end of the race I see her announced as having the best time in the women category.
How often in our business and lives do we fear and have a mis perception of the successful?
Change the way we think about people and the people we think about will change.
What a great feeling when the bell goes off to start the race. The first leg of the race, the run, I took it a little easy to conserve energy. I did feel a little nauseous as my body was still recuperating. Luckily it balanced it self and did not get any worse.
Now the fun begins, my very first transition from the run to the bike. It went pretty well except of the fact that I got disqualified.
I got overwhelmed and forgot a very critical safety rule that was made very clear to us. You are not allowed to touch your bike until you clip your helmet on. Not only did not not clip it on, I completely forgot to wear it.
The biking it self, Wow! Not only was I exhausted from the unexpected wind, (not being in shape might have something to do with it) but more so the re-visit of some of my old injuries screaming for help.
Honestly I could not wait to get off the bike. Here is where the true adventure started, the major dehydration cramp in my leg reminded me that I forgot to rehydrate after my steam room the night before.
Now for the last transition, bike to the run again. One eight of the way into the run the dehydration in my leg kicked in full force, pulsating and cramping my leg to a hobble.
Half way through the run my knee on the other leg went on strike, forcing me to somehow hobble on both legs.
What a humbling experience, one runner after another passing me by as I hobbled and walked the rest of the way. The amazing part was the support from every runner that passed me, cheering me on not to give up.
Be it a duathlon, an Ironman or a business venture, the following are a few lessons to keep in the forefront of your mind.
Dig Deep: As a lot of the runners said as they ran by me, “dig deep – you are just around the corner”. There will always be a million reasons to give up. Focus on the one that gives you a reason to keep moving forward.
One Inch at a Time: I wish I could go from the couch to an Ironman in a month. Success takes time to build one inch at a time.
Surround Yourself with Success: Find the successful in what you want to achieve and gravitate towards them. They not only have the knowledge and experience to guide you but they are also very willing to help. And if you come across the few that want to hold on to their time and experience, smile and move on to the next.
Focus on Your Purpose: My purpose for doing this race kept me going through any circumstance it threw at me.
Take accountability: In the end of the race, people came up to me and said I should not have been disqualified. My response was “yes I should have been.” Not only was it a critical safety rule, but it was also made very clear numerous times. Anyone can push blame, take accountability for your actions.
The most important thing I learned. I am not 20 anymore, I cannot just decide to do stuff like this anymore. I actually have to put the time in to train. AH!
Fred Sarkari
I just got a call from a good friend of mine that has done many triathlons.
We talked about the true lesson from my race. Everything that could go wrong was becoming a reality during the race but at no time did I lose the element of fun.
He has been through enough triathlons to know that stuff happens, that is part of the game.
If you are not to have fun with what you do, stop doing it.
When they put the rankings up on the wall, it was very easy to find my name. As it was the only one brightly highlighted with the word ‘disqualified’.
You might as well go right a head and laugh as it could get a a little lonely if I was the only one laughing at myself.
Fred:
I commend you on taking on a challange that I clearly would not have done but well done on finishing what you started.
Sombody once told me that only 50 % of people write down what they want to do, only 10%percent plan how to do it , and only 1% actually do it. So I guess while you are talking about how the top %5 think you are the top one 1% of people who do out what they intend to do….
IRONIC!!
Zubin, thanks for the kind words.
It was for sure a humbling experience.
I guess I should move on to my next book on how the Top 1% think! he he
Well Freddy my good old buddy, You are a rock star! (and I’m still laughing…)
New bike: $1500
New shoes: $200
Buying the new bike and shoes, thinking your crazy for signing up, wanting to quit, going through with it anyway, cramping, aching and dehydration – but still finishing only to find out your got disqualified, AND wanting to do it all over again…
PRICELESS! (or insane – you pick).
You rock man! (I’m still laughing though…)
Since you’re sharing, here’s my “first time”…
I did my first triathlon at 310 pounds but people thought I was security for the event. I spent $15 on a bike that didn’t fit me, and my friends who video taped everything – who showed up at my place at 5am with Bailey’s and coffee – thought I looked like a bear on a tricycle at the circus. I drank two red bulls thinking it would give me an “edge” but all it gave me was unbelievable gas and bloating and I burped through the whole race. My knees were killing me, my back was killing me, my butt was killing me, and my friends were laughing at me and cheering for me the whole time cause well, that’s what friends are for.
Six years and 8 triathlons later, I have a $300 bike that I bought from the bargain finder (but at least it fits better), I have a $600 wetsuit that I love to wear cause it makes me feel like I’m one of the XMen, I have better shoes, and in my last triathlon, I came in 3rd in my age category (not too shabby I’d say).
In the end, although I’m happy with my latest triumph, my best memory will always be my first time. Knowing a bit about your life story and your personal and physical triumphs, I say congratulations on your disqualification! Can’t win if you don’t play right? But what did you expect for your first time out? ha ha Thats the part that I laugh at. So bask away in the glory of defeat buddy! I just wish I was there to laugh and cheer you on, but maybe next time…and I’ll bring the Baileys.
ha ha ha…
D.
Ha ha, oh! Derrick, I laughed so hard at your post. Thank you for sharing.
You are for sure an inspiration for what you have accomplished.
Don’t forget to bring the red bull for me as well.
The true fun will begin when I add the swim element as you know this brown boy is just learning how to swim.
I loved reading this blog!!! What an amazing experience and adventure you have taken on…Thanks for sharing your insight and lessons in life you are learning along the way.
Sarah, thanks for the post. Nice to know you are enjoying the read.
It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait for my next one with the swim element. Or maybe I just can’t wait till it’s done.
Fred,
Wow!!!!
Thank you for sharing. Yes it is true that successful people will always help you the most.
As long as we are sharing, I will share my BIG dream. I am going to become the oldest person to climb the Mt. Everest. The current record is 67 years old, which means I’ll have to wait at least 12 years before I can qualify. but that doesn’t mean I’ll wait 10 ten years before getting started.
As a matter of fact, I got started last week when I decided to get myself in shape to start doing the preliminary exercises before I can even start any kind of climbing.
Are you laughing yet? I am, but it feels good to know I am working on my dream. Thanks for the inspiration.
Rasheed, that is awesome. Good for you and thanks for having the courage to share.
We need to make ourselves accountable by sharing our vision with others.
Martin Luther King jr. had a dream. That dream would not have become a reality if he was not willing to share it with the world. Sharing it inspires people, touches their hearts and souls.
Keep us posted on your training. The good and the difficult.
See you on the summit of the world.
Hehehe Fred.
Good job. Many people never get to do triathlon (Im a little disappionted you missed out on the swimming – hehe) because they are afraid.
Doing it without training first seemed to have been a good learning experience.
I had the same experience last weekend competing that the Icelandic master championships in swimming. I got a clear message from my body and the results: Time to get in shape.
At least now I really know where I am. Always good to know before setting goals.
Another good thing that I believe greatly in when setting goals in life.
No matter if it is a triathlon, a swim meet, climbing Mount Everest (I will keep an eye on you Rasheed) or in creating a great life.
Be consistent. I have often seen (and done it myself) people who want to do something and start training A LOT to make it.
In the end the get beaten by people who train a “lot less” but have done it consistently for years.
Take one inch at a time, Take accountability and do in consistently then you will see great results.
Im looking forward to hearing about more Du-/triathlons from you Fred.
Mads, congratulations on your master swim as well.
We are all looking forward to your life goal setting program, clarity wheel. Let us know when it is done.
Rasheed, do keep us posted on your progress to the top of the world.
As Mads says – Consistently one inch at a time.
I am doing my first Sprint Triathlon on May 24th, Oliver lake.
Excited
Congratulations on your completion of the duathalon (be it disqualified or not); you did more than many of us have by beginning a training plan and following through to the completion of the event. As I type this, I am somewhat motivated to begin to do more than eat chocolate cookies and large cups of flavoured coffee while I watch exercise shows on the television!
Great job and good luck at your upcoming event. I will cheer for you from the sidelines as I eat my low calorie veggie burger and onion rings!
Fred, just wanted to say how proud Wanita and I are of your huge accomplishment. We are well aware of the many obstacles you overcame to get to this point. Truly inspirational. And what a perfect example of life mimicking the business world. Having the strength to push forward even in the most hostile of situations, to ensure you meet your goals. I run a sales team as you know, and I can see this quality in the over achievers. I also notice the under achievers give up at the first bump in the road. Do you figure we are born with these qualities or can they be learned?
Lastly, a special thanks for being very supportive and motivational in my “race of life”. Your help and support (when others were passing me by) will never be forgotten.
Congrats again!
Mike
Michael and Wanita, thanks so much for the kind words. Your words have more value to me than you will ever know.
To answer your question, we are NOT born with such qualities. These qualities are nothing more than an accumulation of how we consistently think and act on a daily basis.
There are a lot of variables that influence our actions and thoughts. Keep in mind I said INFLUENCE not CONTROL.
Our experiences, we are a product of our environment, the people we associate with, the books we read, the conversations we have…
In the end, we do have the final decision.
Mike, Your Race Of LIfe, has always been just that – a life worth fighting for and admired. The mazing part is that you have yet to even scratch the surface of your achievements to come, not only in your professional but also your personal life.
Fred