Last week there was a half iron distance race, Try Charleston by Setup Events, that one of the athletes I help coach participated in. As a coach I obviously had goals that I’d made for him mainly to motivate him if things got tough. The race did get tough, but that’s not what slowed him down the most. He emailed me and said that although he had a tough time on the run, but that he stopped twice on the bike. My first instinct was what in the world do you mean you stopped, and then he told me why. He encountered two wrecks along the bike portion, and stopped to help. I don’t think anything could touch my heart and make me more proud.
Triathlon is an individual sport, however I always felt as though it was a team spirit or atmosphere. The sportsmanship I’ve seen through triathlon is amazing. What other sport could you be at the start line, and a competitor need goggles or running shoes, and 10 people come to the rescue? I hope that with the increase of popularity of triathlon this is something that is never forgotten about. Competitiveness is a trait that most triathlete’s possess but don’t EVER let that overtake the kindness and support you can offer someone else along the way. Remember that what you put out there is what you will get back, positive giving energy is sure to benefit you along the way as well.