Ignite Your Leadership with Best-Selling Author, Business Coach Neel Raman

The Final Leg

The Triathlon Final Leg

Part III 

The Sprint Ladies final leg...

Eating my banana and hydrating felt loving to me while I was walking over to the start of the last leg of this triathlon. I still hadn’t realized what I was about to encounter. Immediately the steep, long, hill that I needed to conquer came into view.  The reality was sobering.  My vision of this part of the race was flat along the reservoir bank. It wasn’t anything close to what I imagined.  I needed to persevere going up the hill and reach the halfway point at the reservoir, so I could turn around, and then head down, toward the finish line. Going this distance uphill was a total surprise, and the most challenging to me, both mentally and physically.

At the beginning of the ascent, I couldn’t imagine anything but putting one foot in front of the other. My head was in my music, and my legs were moving. I continued with my mantra of motion, “Just keep moving,” and convincing myself walking up the steep hill at any pace was loving to me. Then my doubts sunk in, and I questioned if I could make it.

As I received the revitalizing energy from participants and volunteers, and heard the words of encouragement–– “You are doing great,” “Keep it up”––  I knew I could make it.  Soon I realized that I too needed to go beyond thanking them for their encouragement. I began sharing positive comments with others.  The invigorating banter was becoming natural and my legs churned and moved with that encouragement. The energy radiated in both directions.  My adrenaline was flowing. I knew I could accomplish my own personal summit with radiating joy and with the self-care mantra of this is loving to me. When I reached the halfway point, I knew a finish was doable as I could now turn around, head down the hill I had just gone up.

When I saw the finish line ahead, I started to jog. A surge of personal celebration gave me energy. I was basking in the awesomeness of knowing I would be completing my goal. I radiated an internal glow. Hearing the cheers of my eleven comrades waiting for me at the finish line will always be etched in my recollection of this special day. I became so inspired by my group. I raised my thumb in acknowledgement and sped up my jog. The energy from these women permeated the crowd. The announcer feeling the energy of my support group asked on the loud speaker:

 “Who is this finishing with her own wonderful cheering section?”

She looked up my name and age, from my number and shared over the loud speaker, 

“Merril Boruchin Spielman, age sixty-six, from Manitou Springs.”

 My heart was soaring. She also informed the crowd that I had finished all three events, and more applause and cheers erupted A stranger, possessing a camera with a long lens, snapped many pictures of me as I crossed the finish line.

COWABUNGA! I had done it! I completed the goals of honoring my husband, finishing the race, and staying in a mode that was loving to me through out the event. I am in charge of my changes––my life. I astonished myself. I did it. It was amazing. I completed a triathlon.

Me, crossing the finish line!

After the race group picture with our medals!  We had 100% completion

Yet despite my elation, I looked around the crowd and realized that I had one great regret about this triathlon. That regret was not sharing with my daughter, Shira Spielman, that I had entered the race. I was worried that if I told her, she would come and cheer me on. I might not have had the emotional strength to quit if I needed too. I was worried I would tough it out so she would be proud. This was my issue and not hers. She should have been one of the first to be told.

A lesson learned; self-disclosure builds trust. This lesson and wisdom earned did not detract from my personal satisfaction of a dream becoming a reality, well done. My spirit was feeling its own personal standing ovation. My heart soared in joy and amazement.

So as 2016 continues along, I invite you to find that thing you would like to do that will bring on a celebration for you, a dream well done, so you too can feel that personal standing ovation And ask yourself: How can I be more loving to me?