I was at my last triathlon of the season, a blissfully flat course in Erie. Pennsylvania. It was a beautiful day, and I had a strong race, finishing second in my age group. A while after I finished, I saw two familiar women approaching the line. I had met them at an earlier triathlon, and suggested that the Erie race might be fun for them. They were running together, and playfully (or was it spiritedly) sprinting to the finish line in celebration of their third triathlon of their rookie season. It was inspiring to see such excitement, even for a veteran like me.
There’s nothing quite like the enthusiasm of an athlete just finding their legs and connection with a new sport. There’s an energy that bubbles over as they try to absorb as much as they can about the sport and how they can improve their performance. My friends had passed the uneasiness and unknowns of their first couple races and were now able to relax and take pleasure in the experience. In talking with them after the race, they were excited about their development and already eager with anticipation for next season.
Do you remember what it was like when you first realized your connection with your favorite sport or activity? Did it hit you quickly, or did you slowly realize that you’d found something that really attracted you? Do you remember your eagerness to learn and your desire to develop your skills? Did you anxiously anticipate your next workout or competition? Did you feel excitement with each new challenge and success?
When I was an exchange student in Norway, I sang with a small, local Christian youth choir. One particular song and phrase continues to echo in my head, “Som et barn maa du bli og vaere.” Roughly translated, “As a child must you become and be.” It has become one of my mantras, reminding me to strive to keep a fresh, curious, and energetic perspective on life.
A newly developing athlete is like a young child. They have an eagerness and openness to absorb all they can. Their curiosity and innocence encourage them to try new things. They have a joy that comes from discovery and new found success. How often have you heard yourself say, “Ah, to be young again.”? Well, my friends, with a little work, you can be.
You have no doubt heard people talking about “getting in touch with their inner child.” That’s kind of like what I’m talking about here. It’s about rediscovering your innate curiosity and playfulness that beckons you to pursue new ideas and find the simple joy of every experience. Years of learning to “act like an adult” can block these childlike tendencies. Notice that I said childlike, not childish. While childish behavior will still get you in trouble, childlike curiosity and wonder can help to keep adult life fresh and inspiring.
So what can you, as an athlete, do to recapture the energy and vigor of a rookie or child? For one, work on your attitude. You’ll be surprised at how much effort it can take to free your mind to be more like a child. You have to push out cynicism and doubt, and replace it with openness and positive energy. For two, add a healthy dose of variety. It’s not only the spice of life, it can be darn near like sipping the fountain of youth.
This year has been challenging for me on a personal level. It would have been easy to let my training get bogged down in a rut or fizzle out completely, but instead I looked to it to keep my energy level and perspective up. I did this, in part, by adding a lot of variety. Over the course of the year I ran races at six different distances, competed in four varieties of multi-sport events, and entered a half dozen races I’d never done before. There was always something new or different coming up on my schedule, so it was easier to stay motivated and forward-looking.
Life can be exciting, even to well-worn veterans. By seeking to lighten your attitude and freshen your perspective, you can experience the joy and enthusiasm of a child.