Yesterday I had a really nice email exchange with Joe about my last "Brush with Sports Celebrity" post regarding Alan Webb. Joe's a former collegiate runner. One of those guys that I really admire for their athleticism and speed these days.
In his last email Joe wrote:
"btw, i'm no longer of of "those guys". I got burned out pretty hard and quit running after my Jr year. I left my coaches office, hung up my shoes and literally didn't touch them for over a year. Ever since then, i've been trying to get back into something (running, tris, weights, whatever) every year, but nothing has grabbed me yet. I've managed to do a few tris, a couple xterras, and even a marathon last year, but nothing close to being competitive at any level. On the "positive" side, maybe I'll just gain 5 more pounds and compete in the clydesdale division! ;)
joe"
Which made me recall why I started this journey and this blog.
So I thought I'd pass along my response to you:
Hi Joe,
I used to ski race in College for the University of Colorado.
Today the mountains outside of my door are covered in a fresh coat of snow, and yet I have very little to no interest in going skiing.
I think this is because I’ve climbed that mountain and now I have only one way to go...down.
In other words when I ski, I still remember how fast and good I was in college. And more importantly how it felt to command my body and the mountain.
These days when I ski I have this feeling that I have molasses in my nerve endings.
I tell my legs to turn, and I count to one thousand, and they they finally turn.
In college that same turn took a millisecond. I flew through the gates banging out, one perfect turn after another. Don’t get me wrong I can still ski better than most, but certainly not with the same finesse and grace of my college ski team years.
So now I’ve taken up triathlon. And even though I’m getting older I’m still getting faster. And while I’m certainly very far from “better than most” when it comes to swimming, cycling, or running, I do manage to improve every year.
That makes me feel like I’m climbing a new mountain...all be it one that is devoid of any snow.
I guess it is just really a matter perception, but than again sometimes perception is all that really matters.
Cheers,
Roman