More thoughts from Loriland
Pre-race thoughts: The pervasive humidity of a day in mid July provokes the inquisitive nature of my carefree one year old. She moves like an overtrained jockey toward the 6×6 ft pool of water curisouly considering the different colored plastic balls floating on top. She seems amused, though only momentarily, and reveals her six tiny teeth as she picks up a plastic yellow ball and drops it back into the water. In an instant, she spots one ball that appears slightly different than all the rest. As she retrieves it, she finds that this on is not plastic, but soft ? a sponge. As she squeezes, the cool water drenches her sweat-soaked onsie and gives relief to the fattest, most flushed cheeks I?ve ever seen.
I recall her amusing discovery as I sit waiting to begin my third triathlon in 3 weeks. Starting in the last wave has its benefits I suppose. I watch the swimmers ahead of me through the glass as some dash and others struggle. I remember the pristine line that?s recently made a home on my mostly concerned face. The solitary thought continuously passing through my consciousness screams out Maylee?s conclusion:? The one that?s different is amazing!!!? Do something different today. May Christ be with you.
Post-race thoughts:
While I was on the bike route a fireman used his megaphone and shouted, ?Slow down!? as I passed. At first I thought he was talking to me and I felt prety good about my atheleticism, but those split second thoughts are too quickly fleeting when you realize the truth along with the ridiculousness of your initial assumption. He was speaking to a car coming up fast behind me.
When you dare to be different, there?s always a voice behind you trying to convince you to second guess your boldness and ?slow down.? It?s only through perseverance and courage that you overcome that voice and your fears and are empowered to look back and say, ?That voice wasn?t speaking to me. I?m on the right path, even if no one is with me. The ones behind me are those who are being instructed to slow down, change their routine course and take notice of the one sole rider.? How will you raise your hand when they call your name? Against the wind, Christian soldiers. Drive on.