As I approach the completion of 150 ultra marathons this year and possibly the completion of 100 marathons, I reflect on the past and what it took to get this far. And, more importantly, what it will take to get farther. I have been blessed with the right amount of good genes and an attitude to carry me through most situations. Obviously, there is not much one can do about the inherited traits that are given to us by our parents. Having the right attitude in all situations is something we can discover and control.

Whether it is winning or losing a race, not reaching the starting line or the finish line or reaching a time or distance goal, what you do and feel will make a difference in your future athletic endeavors. When I first started racing, in 1981, after every marathon I would feel let down, the feeling of reaching a goal was disappointing. The reason I felt that way was because I always felt I could have done better.

Finally, I realized it was not disappointment I was dealing with, it was really a set up for the next goal. If one realizes there is more to be obtained and that each experience is one that will help us achieve something greater, then there is no reason to feel disappointed in anything we do. If you have ever run a marathon, the major accomplishment for many runners, there should not be any disappointment. Rather the elation of running 26.2 miles for the first time should carry you on to the next goal of running one faster.

When I finished my first Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, I should have been feeling elated. Yet, when my wife who greeted me at the finish line with a lei to compliment the one given by the race organization for finishing, I felt lost. Gail could see something was visibly wrong and she asked, “How do you feel?” I responded with a “Physically or emotionally?” She came back with, “Physically” and I immediately said, “Put me in the water and I’ll do it again, I feel that good.” The next part was about attitude. Emotionally, I felt really let down. It had been my goal to finish the Ironman in Kona for a decade-and-a-half and now the goal was over, what would I do? Gail picked up on this right away and said, “Duh, you will come back again and do it faster!”

Sometimes, we let the emotions of the moment cloud our heads, so we do not realize that there is more ahead and we need to think ahead. Think ahead, set another goal, have the attitude that there is always more out there to accomplish, if we just push emotions to the side and be realistic. I learned an important lesson that day in Kona. I have carried them with me since and I will always remember the words, Gail so candidly pointed out to her favorite athlete. Not being an athlete herself and having the wisdom and foresight to point something out, that was such a simple philosophy, was a great lesson in life.

I asked about the lei she had given me. It was different than all the others, as it was not a completed circle. She explained to me that it was a gift from her and Wigwam (The company that allowed me to be part of the development team for the sock that became the official sock of the Ironman). It was a special one that is reserved for someone that has done something extraordinary. For me reaching the finish line in Kona had taken 15 years, while during that time I was transformed from a self-proclaimed couch potato to an accomplished runner with numerous accolades along the way.

There have been no times in my life, following my first Ironman, that I have allowed the feeling of disappointment to seep into my emotional being as an athlete and bring me down. Keep a positive attitude and enjoy everything you do!

See you in a few miles