Beginner's Luck
By Alison Colavecchia
2.15.01 (www.slowtwitch.com)

At first the title of this feature left me perplexed. I thought to myself, triathlons feel like a lot of things…lucky isn't one of them! It's too much hard work. As I have moved through my days, trained and written with this title in mind it has grown on me.

The very first triathlon I did was a try-a -tri. I finished and was disappointed. Despite my back of the pack status, I could have done another one right after it and been fine. I felt gypped. I was seeking a Julie Moss finish. I did not expect to enjoy myself. I did not expect to finish and feel great. I wanted to have to crawl across the finish line. I felt my training efforts to get to the starting line deserved such a noble finish. I did not expect Beginner's Luck.

My triathlon life was perhaps saved by this beginning. If I had finished in the way I had fantasized throughout my training, I might never have felt the need to do another one. The ease of the first one left me feeling I had unfinished business with the world of triathlons. I had to do another that was longer, that better tested my mettle. This has been my pattern to date. If I can finish it, it's time to move up. I am not selling this as a method of race distance selection but this would appear to be my own modus operandi…not to see how fast I can go but rather how far.

Now, several more triathlon distances later I still feel lucky, only now it has a more philosophical bent. That beginner's luck feeling emerges when I am reminded of my good fortune at being able to simply move all of my limbs each and every day. When I complete a workout I thought myself not capable of doing, I marvel that I have the opportunity to really be aware of my body as it grows stronger. I feel blessed that I can settle into a swim, bike or run pace that permits internal and external reflection and I don't waste it. I take notice of the changes and whims mother nature offers up each day, I respect her calling card and plan my training accordingly.

As a beginner, I appreciate each new experience I am exposed to, even those that might at first feel uncomfortable. I see, feel and hear things that I previously was unaware of. I am meeting new people and finding out new things about familiar faces that all leave me feeling decidedly blessed to be a part of this swimming, biking and running life.

My wish for each and every one of you is that you have––or rather take––the opportunity to train as a beginner. The following is taken from Dr. George Sheehan's book entitled Running and Being: The Total Experience (Second Wind, Il 1978).

"…each day I take to the roads as a beginner, a child, a poet. Seeking the innocence of the beginner, the wonder of the child and the vision of the poet. Hoping for new appreciation of the landscape, a new perspective of my inner world , some new insights on life, a new response to existence and myself.

There are times, more often than the good times, when I fail. I never do pierce the shield. I return with a shopping list of things to do tomorrow. The miraculous has gone unseen. The message has gone unheard. I have had one of those loveless days on a lovely day for love.

Still, there is always the chance I'll have beginner's luck. And this run, this hour, this day may begin in delight and end in wisdom." (p. 121)

still tri'n……