The 70.3 window - Part 1
First recap Jan 28.
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, (…), who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly” – Theodore Roosevelt
I feel this phrase encompasses the way I have felt these past days and the way this whole journey is going. Knowing that the road to the goal is long and winding, it seems unfair with both those who have been so kind by supporting and with myself not to reflect on the process. Now reflecting cannot just encompass how training is going and a matter of numbers (whether it is watts, strokes, or pace), that can be compilated in pictures and Garmin watches.
Also, it cannot encompass just training because there is a higher goal in this journey and it’s finding support for the Fundación Gero, it isn’t just about my journey to get to the finish line and I won’t lose the focus from which it matters, which is both raising funds that go straight to a local organization that creates immediate impact and spreading the word about Colombian cycling and how powerful it is/can be.
This writing is meant to be an honest look at all aspects of the progress and whatever feelings come up with it. So, I want to begin with acknowledging the vulnerability that I’ve felt present with this process, vulnerability is letting yourself be seen independent if the outcome is positive or negative. I’ve felt it both facing my training sessions, especially those that have been tougher, but even more, I’ve felt it when thinking (and acting) on how to ask for support and share the journey. It comes with a lot of doubt about myself, my intentions, if people care about what I have to say and then it all crumbles into ‘am I actually able to do this’. To respond to that, I’ve been learning how to be compassionate with myself, I’ve revisited and strengthened my intentions for taking this challenge, I’ve been learning how to lean more towards discomfort and let it shed light into areas that seemed dark.
One of the best enlightened paths has been all the support I have received. The most obvious or tangible support has been the funds raised up to today, almost 20% there which is crazy!! I thank all of you for your support and vote of trust and feel embraced within a community of people that are very caring. Although that’s the goal, support hasn’t just been there, it has been in endless conversations with people that are curious about what’s happening and give me some of their motivation; it also is in training with friends and going through it together; it is someone cooking for you; it is all the words of encouragement on social media; it is all the advice that’s been given on how to front it. Support is a constant embrace from people, an act of love and what allows me to go back to the discomfort and to be true.
Another heavy factor in this first part of the journey has feeling that resonance with the Fundación Gero and the work they do as a form of motivation. This is because I see how they’re creating change through various different ways, starting with the mayor impact we want to make and it is Youth, Women’s and Adaptive cyclist. This weekend were the National Road Cycling competitions in Colombia, and to watch cyclist that the team already sponsors like the women’s Equipo Ciclismo Capital battle it out with other teams to get a rider in the top 10; and then watch Héctor Ferney Molina, a rider that grew up and developed in the Team Tibaná (sponsored by Fundación Gero) clinch the 5thspot in the Under 23 competition shows the impact this goal can have in the development of current and future athletes in Colombia. Another way of change Fundación Gero is doing is promoting more sustainable ways of transportation, something that has really been present in my mind especially after seeing the effects of various wildfires in Colombia. Efforts like this, create a different understanding and approach towards our relationship with the world. These two reasons have been inspiring and make me want to put 100% of me into this, even with the discomfort.
All that I’ve said have turned training sessions into a space of connection with myself, of self-discovery and of vulnerability. It is the place where I get to think about and act immediately on who I want to be and how to be better. It is, again, transcending the numbers. My body is feeling it for sure, some soreness especially in the legs and hip, but it is also recovering pretty well. My mind has been feeling it the most, at sometimes I feel tired and confronted, others I feel wiser and stronger; but most of all I feel grateful. I feel grateful for the support and opening the doors for it to come in; I feel grateful for the way I’ve been changing how I’m showing up for myself (which in turn is changing how I show up for others); and I am grateful for allowing myself to be in discomfort, where I feel challenged in so many ways.
Lastly, and not as relevant, the numbers for the week are:
Swim: 4200m
Run: 36.2km
Bike: A lot of sweat and effort. I’ve been doing stationary bike taking advantage of the Peloton at the Universities gym which gives me flexibility if the weather is too cold. Probably did 5 rides in the week, between 30-45 minutes each.
Stay true! Siempre más!
-N