Have you ever heard the old adage "success is 20% inspiration and 80% perspiration"? I have, and on this American Thanksgiving day, I've gotten to thinking about both and why I am so grateful for them.
On the FB and Twitter I see notes from people I know, trainers, work out elite and the like asking "what/who inspires you?". It has been asked so often that it becomes mundane and the answers all seem less than authentic after a while. I want to give this some serious attention today and be sure to be real about it.
I have successfully completed many workout challenges that I have placed in front of myself. I hope to find success at many more. The trick for me seems to be slow and steady progress and a commitment to be consistent in my training and seeking help. I am really grateful that I have the common sense enough to respect my body, my age and my limits. I am smart enough to know not to push too hard or too fast, and that I am not going to succeed on my own. So I think this covers the perspiration. That and 6am morning runs, yoga classes, and dog runs followed by work days full of working so that I can afford to pursue my dreams, and then night time runs, swims, yoga, dog walks, workouts, and or bike rides/spin classes. Yup I am working up a sweat just now writing about it. Perspiration is definitely covered.
But what of who and what inspires me? You know, I find inspiration in many places. My brother really has inspired me most of my life and I would say that most of the time he doesn't even know it. But when it comes to working out and chasing the triathlon dream, he changed my life. It was his commitment to the plan and his willingness to share the dream with me that had me plunge head first into my first race. The first race that started my love affair with running and reignited my passion for working out. My priorities in life changed and I have become more of the person that I want to be. He listens to my stories, teaches me what he can, asks me to try my best, and is my biggest cheer leader for sure. Yup, definite inspiration.
There is also my dog. He has such joy when we walk and even more when we run. He reminds me how primal being active is and reminds me to enjoy moving because it is liberating and freeing and natural. And, he does all of this without a word, just a goofy lopsided grin and wagging tail and I can see all that he is trying to teach me and share with me.
I am inspired daily by people that are younger, older, thinner, or fatter than me that are going above and beyond what I am currently capable of, proving to me that it can be done.
And last night, I sat with mouth agape and tears freely flowing with a new found respect for Tara Costa. That chick ROCKED the Biggest Loser world when she beat the boys in every challenge in Season 7 and showed me just what girl power is capable of. I have been a fan ever since. But last night, watching her talk about how her life has changed and how she has completely dedicated her life to the journey of fitness cemented her place as hero in my book. Then, watching her compete in and fully experience the Ironman Hawaii race reminded my why she is such a great role model and source of inspiration. She is not rail thin and she will never be. She did not come in first because she is not a professional athlete. But she is an athlete, make no mistake about it. She was as determined and fierce as I have ever seen her, but there was something new. She was also a bit vulnerable. She was a bit softer and she took time to enjoy and embrace the experience of the entire race, not just the part where she crosses the finish line. Yup, Tara Costa is the real deal and I am so glad that a little television show allowed me to get to find that out about her.
There are hero's and role models all around us. I wonder how many of them have you met? How many have inspired you? Have you told them?
I am thankful that I have role models and I hope that I remember to tell them who they are and why they are so special to me every time I get the chance.
Now, off to work out....it's time for the perspiration part again.
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