My Motto

Yesterday I did intervals on the trainer, trimommy-style. It went something like this:

1. Warm up for 15 minutes.
2. Get off trainer to see why Ryan and Noah were being so good. They were watching a video, but Ryan had turned the volume up to like 60, where it is normally at 12 or 13.
3. Get back on the trainer, switch to a harder gear and go for about 5 minutes.
4. Get off the trainer because Noah wants to ride in the gator car and needs his helmet put on.
5. Get back on the trainer and ride hard for about 10 minutes. Wave at Noah every time he drives by.
6. Get off the trainer to help Noah with the malfunctioning gator car.
7. Get back on the trainer and ride hard for about 5 minutes.
8. Get off the trainer to get Noah out of neighbor's driveway.
9. Get back on the trainer, this time for at least 15 minutes. Come out of aero to throw the frisbee to Noah every 2 minutes or so, which is a feat unto itself.
10. Finally call it done.

I think it took me about 90 minutes to ride for 60 minutes. No wonder I am so tired at night!

Anyway, while I was riding, I was listening to a podcast about developing your athletic identity. It was very interesting. The speaker was talking about how many age-groupers don't identify themselves as triathletes despite the fact that they are training and racing like triathletes. He said it was important to see yourself as an athlete.

I thought this was very interesting, and totally agree with it. About a year and half ago, I developed my own motto to use while I was training and racing. I have it at the top of my Beginner Triathlete training log, as well as on my RoadID. Last year during my first Olympic triathlon, I kept saying it to myself over and over. Whenever I am hurting or trying to run faster, or pushing myself, I remind myself of my motto, and the beauty is, I am really starting to believe it.

I am an athlete.

That's mine. Do you have one?