We are born with a blank slate.

My blank slate got filled up pretty quickly. Or at least, it has always felt that way.  I was always an “old” kid though. I wanted to do nothing more than grow up, and fast. Like Manny on Modern Family. I was about the same size, too.

Boy, that cheerleader dream fell apart quickly…

But only over the past two years have I grown close to being the truest “me” possible. Two years out of the last thirty-two.  Sheesh.  That makes me sad and glad all at once.

But I am convinced that I have triathlon to thank for a great portion of my new and revised slate.  Since I was ballsy enough to try a half Ironman, and particularly at my size… well, I pretty much see alot fewer obstacles in my way about other little life things.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

-Dr. Seuss

Today, a post on Marc & Angel Hack Life hit me between the eyes: 11 Easy Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life. One of the eleven listed hit me harder:

“Forget what everyone else thinks and wants for you.”

Yes, we all have responsibilities. We must earn money and take care of family. Then we must do some things that we hate – our daily sacrifices to the Soul Suckers or whoever/whatever else steals our sunshine.

The Expert did a great job this weekend cleaning out our garage, and the weekend before that he cleaned out the workout closet (the place where goggles, GUs and gear gets thrown into haphazardly). He’s been a super husband since the Broke Foot Incident of 2012. So the closets and garage are less complicated, and that makes my life feel somewhat less complicated. 



Source

I had to really think about this part of the post: “…Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and what you want to be… Take risks.  Don’t just accept the safe and easy choices because you’re afraid of what others will think, or afraid of what might happen.  If you do, nothing will ever happen.  Don’t let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big.  They aren’t.” 

One of my favorite sections of Slow Fat Triathlete is when Jayne Williams discusses the importance of not caring how you look when you are tri-ing.  I struggled for years with EIP (“Exercising in Public”) due to the simple FJ (“Fat Jiggle”) factor. 
But once I began to care a little less about the Jiggle, then I felt like I might Wiggle myself out of situations that I don’t want to be in.  That’s pretty uncomplicated, really. Plus, it’s good to get outside and jiggle sometimes, just for the fresh air silly factor.
I like the list of uncomplicatization (is that a word?) strategies. I like lists. I like triathlon because it compartmentalizes things in threes, and race day is just made for lists.
My head has been swimming with all these complicating thoughts since I broke the stupid foot.
Today, I am focusing on what I can do, who I really am, and figuring out how to make the rest fall into place.  All of the falling in place may be tough, but I am convinced it will be worth it.
Happy Monday, friends.
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This week’s radio show for featured Georgia races, hosted by none other than crazy me is up on Pace Per Mile now. We’ve got the big Publix Marathon & Half coming up this weekend.  Well, some of us do. Not “we” per se.  
A couple of reminders, don’t forget to vote for Swim Bike Mom as a Top 25 Funny Mom.  It’s a daily vote thing until the contest closes next week.  Click here, and then click on the “Thumbs Up” if you’ve ever snickered at my expense. Mmmmm, Snickers.
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I am about to stop eating forever. Stay tuned.
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3 Responses

  1. Great read and I know how hard it can be! I've gotten over been a fat cow running ( my own words) and have worked so hard to where I am now and still a long way to go!!
    Girl power my friend xx

  2. Loved the Marc and Angel list this AM. So many good truths.

    Completely agree with you on how triathlon can change your mental outlook. I can't really explain it but since I finished the iron distance in October, my views of myself and my limitations changed. For me, that race was so far beyond what I thought I could ever accomplish, most things now don't seem nearly as difficult.

  3. That is some powerful information for us all to know. I always give made props to people I see outside that have a jiggle but are totally killing it and training hard. That's just awesome. Way to go on the Expert busting his butt and getting everything cleaned out and organized!

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