Do What You Love

You may have seen the Jim Carrey commencement speech going around the internet where he spoke to the graduating class of Maharishi University's school of Management.  I watched the video several times because what he said is so true, and also so unexpected given that it was said by Jim Carrey, but also because I wanted to make sure I got it right when I quoted it below:

"So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality.  What we really want seems impossible to achieve and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it...
...You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love."

Well said, Mr. Carrey.

Throughout my years of running, a lot of people have questioned my sanity, my motivations, my choices on how to spend my time and money.  People are always on board with you until they are called on to be a part of your goals.  And, believe me, I get it.  My choosing to train for a marathon or this half ironman has been a commitment by my husband and our kids, not just by me.  For the most part, I can do my training early (before the sun) or late, after the kids go to bed and I can hit the treadmill, the bike trainer, or do some strength training.  But factoring in pool workouts, means that I do have to adjust my schedule a bit.  And when I'm not training, my body is tired.  4:30 or 5:00am alarms mean early bed times.  My family has responded beautifully, supporting and encouraging me when my own motivation wains.  It's hard to want to get out the door when it's dark and you've already been up twice with a kid awake, or you head out extra early to get in miles of running and swimming before a double shift at work.  But I'm no hero here, plenty of "weekend warriors" are pulling even more intense training schedules than I.

It's the half hearted support, that gets to me.  I try not to burden anyone else because this is my goal, my lifestyle, my choice.  Sometimes it means missing out on things that might be more fun, sometimes it's ok to miss a training day.  But what I cannot tolerate is support that is offered but can't be followed through on.  I'd rather it not be offered at all.

Life is way too short for me to not pursue this with all I've got.  Yes, it's a hobby.  I also view it as a lifestyle.  Endurance sports force one to push their minds as well as bodies.  If I can push through a hard workout, then I can apply that same determination to other areas of my life.  I can survive, I can be mentally tougher, more willing to persevere.

One example is in swimming.  I knew how to swim before triathlon training, but I would never have classified myself as a swimmer.  Still wouldn't, probably.  I read and watched, and learned how to breath, how to swim with my face in the water, how to use my arms and legs.  Can I improve?  Yes.  Are there things I do wrong?  Yes.  But when I started my training program, I could make it 400 meters before I needed a rest on the side of the pool.  I worked up to 800m at a time.  I had a mental block about needing a break.  And then one day I pushed through.  And today, I swam 3000m (yes, 3000!!  Almost 2 whole miles!) at once.  It took me an hour and 4 minutes, but I stopped only one time to adjust my goggles and check my watch, but otherwise I swam consecutively.  I wasn't afraid, per se, but I wanted it.  I really wanted it, and so I took a chance.  And look at what I accomplished.

The barrier was self imposed to large degree.  I have the fitness base.  I put my mind to it, did what I love doing, and went for it.

You can too.  Do what you love with or without the support of those around you.  Don't look back tomorrow, in a week, in a year and realize the opportunity is passed.  Make the most of yourself today, in this moment.  I support you.