I'm not quite sure where to start. The past week has been simultaneously one of the most meaningful and difficult weeks I've lived. The reason I write about it here--in other words, the reason it's relevant to Ironman training--is that I took a week of "forced" rest. And the reason for the forced rest is that my father died.
Thus, I had to let go. I let go of my training schedule for the week. I let go of expectations of any physical activity. I let go of the need for regular sleep. I let go of finding the most nutritious meals, a hard enough task when the trip is planned. I let go of pretty much everything that didn't involve being fully present in the moment--present for my father's last days alive, present for my family, and present for myself.
And this letting go was the perfect training plan. It couldn't have been any other way.
So I return to "normal" life with heavy body and heavy heart. Dad was proud of my Ironman goal and supported me until his last day. I listed him in a previous post as one of my earliest athletic inspirations and his inspiration will carry me through the rest of training and most importantly on race day. Thanks, Dad, for teaching me the importance of self-care, discipline, and physical activity.
And thank you all for letting me share this news here.
Strength comes in forms other than physical alone. What you gained last week with the time spent with family, in particular your brothers, during this difficult time was strength in character, strength in love, strength in being grounded, and strength through adversity unlike anything you have ever experienced. There is nothing that can beat you now, Jennifer. You have proven that. As with everything else you touch, you will succeed and rise above it all. I am incredibly proud to be your Mom.
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