Be Inspired: It's All Perspective

It’s All Perspective
by: RTA athlete, Liz Urtecho

Over the past 3 weeks I have had the opportunity to reflect on my Ironman finish, what it meant to me and how I will go forward in the sport.  I was finding myself getting caught up in the results, analyzing every split, and coming up with new and improved nutrition strategies.  I was planning for the next race, my training/racing plan for 2016 and the 2017 Ironman.  I was looking forward to my next BOOM! 

What I haven’t spent too much time doing is looking back, where this all began and what I have accomplished, so I decided to write it down.  I am hoping when I get too caught up in my next race results, I can look at this list and get some perspective.

1. I started competing in triathlons 5 years ago with an all women’s sprint tri.
   
2. I bought my first road bike 5 years ago.  I didn’t know how to clip in, shift or climb a hill without dropping a chain.
   
3. I joined my triathlon club, RTA, 3 years ago and have made some great friends and coaches.
   
4. I did my first Half IRONMAN 3 years ago and crossed the finish line thinking I would never do that again.
   
5. I bought my first tri bike last year.  I didn’t know how to shift or stay in aero.
   
6. In the past 3 years, I have pr’d the marathon and half marathon, running those races better and faster than I did when I was in my 20s.
   
7. I have PR’d the Half IRONMAN every time I have raced it.
   
8. I can ride my bike 20 mph now and swim continuously for miles.
   
9. I am wife and a mother of 4 kids.  I am 47 years old and I am an IRONMAN.
   
10. I have been blessed with so many people encouraging me along the way.
    

It has been quite a journey I can be very proud of.  So… when I get all crazy about my next BOOM, I need to get a grip and get some perspective.

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Soon after writing this, Liz received IRONMAN’s All World Athlete, Silver honor (top 5% of her AG world wide). CONGRATS, Liz!