Winning an Olympic medal in my own way...

I looked around and saw a sea of wetsuits and brightly colored swim caps. I gazed down at my swimsuit and felt out of place as almost everyone else was wearing a wetsuit. I slowly made my way into the chilly water and walked out towards the current where I was told would be the best place to swim. There I was about to begin my first triathlon, and having no idea how I would do against those around me. The horn sounded and we were off. I forgot all my worries and nervousness and began. I quickly noticed that many had passed me "Get your mind off of others and focus on yourself" I reminded myself. Every stroke brought me closer to the end of the swim; I began to tire when suddenly I saw the bright yellow balloons in the air signaling the end of the swim, my energy increased as I told myself to speed up. As I began my way out of the water, my legs felt like lead. Others slowed down “speed up Michelle, push through the fatigue" my inner voice told me. I entered the transition area and pulled on my clothes as fast as possible. I hopped on my bike and headed out. People quickly passed me and I observed that almost every person had skinny tires...hmm..I looked down at my own fat tires and realized that maybe I should have invested in a "real tri" bike. "On your left" I heard over and over as bikes would come rushing by. Frustration overcame me “Why are you not as fast as them?" I asked myself. I glanced behind me and saw there were still many behind me "Oh good I thought I am not last" "Do not worry about who is front of you or who is behind you" I heard a voice whisper in my ear. As I pedaled with all my might I thought about those words...I realized that not just in races but in other areas of my life I had often compared. Compared who was ahead or behind, who was a better mom or wife, who was skinnier than me, who has a bigger house who is more successful than me, who got where I want to be faster "ENOUGH" I told myself this is YOUR race, YOUR life and YOUR journey, just do the best you can do. As I transitioned from bike to running, the feeling of weights on my legs returned. Although difficult I was happy to be back to my most familiar and favorite sport..running. "Push through this" I told myself, this is nothing compared to what your body endured during your Marathon, you’ve got this" I sped up and passed many of those people who had passed me during the bike ride. Normally distracted by music, I needed to keep talking to myself to push past fatigue. “Be the best you, you can be" I said to myself..I liked the way that sounded. I repeated it over and over, it began to be the music in my head, my body ached to slow down but I kept repeating " Be the best you, you can be" "Do you have anything left to give?" Yes I do I answered myself, my steady pace became a sprint as I passed one, two, three people and lost count. “Go,” I told myself, I recalled something I had heard recently " Your mind will give out before your body will: DIG DEEP Michelle, as I sprinted to the finish line I gave it my all, mind, body and soul and finished my race with my head held high. I placed my silver medal around my sweaty neck and felt a sense of pride. I may not have won an Olympic medal but I pushed myself as much as I could and I truly was the best me that I could be.